Key facts
- Yemeni government forces reported conducting over 100 military operations against Houthis in the past 24 hours.
- The operations are described as retaliatory measures against Houthi attacks.
- The fighting has spread across multiple fronts in Yemen, signaling the end of a period of calm.
- Recent escalations are linked to regional tensions and a strike on Sanaa airport.
- A senior commander vowed a decisive battle to retake Houthi-held areas, including Sanaa.
Yemeni government forces have escalated attacks against the Houthi armed group, conducting over 100 military operations in the past 24 hours. These actions are described as retaliatory measures following Houthi attacks, including strikes on ports and residential areas. The fighting has spread across multiple fronts, signaling the end of a period of relative calm that began with a UN-brokered truce in 2022.
The recent surge in conflict is linked to both local and regional developments. Tensions rose in late June amid increased regional tensions due to the US-Iran war, prompting mobilization from both Yemeni sides. A strike claimed by the Yemeni government on Sanaa airport in July, aimed at preventing an Iranian plane's landing, led the Houthis to declare a naval blockade and initiate general mobilization, followed by escalated attacks on Red Sea shipping and Saudi Arabia's oil facilities.
Government forces launched a preemptive operation on August 6 against Houthi weapons-smuggling routes, which was met with heavy Houthi bombardment. Experts note that the Houthis are backed by Iran and allied groups, while the internationally recognized Yemeni government is supported by a Saudi-led coalition.
Fighting is occurring on several fronts, including Marib and Hadramout provinces. A senior commander, Tareq Saleh, has vowed a decisive battle to retake Sanaa and other Houthi-held areas, accusing Iran of directing the Houthi escalation to gain leverage in its confrontation with the US.