Yemen’s internationally recognised government has launched a major military offensive against the Houthi movement, with government forces reporting advances near key strategic positions along the Red Sea coast.
The operation, formally named Operation Dawn of Yemen by Presidential Leadership Council President Rashad Al Alimi, began today with the stated aim of retaking Houthi held territory, restoring state institutions and regaining control of the capital, Sanaa, which has been under Houthi control since 2014. Al Alimi had announced the military campaign a day earlier, saying it was intended to recover remaining Houthi held areas and extend state authority across Yemen.
Yemen’s armed forces said they carried out 1,122 precision operations against Houthi targets in Saada, Al Jawf, Taiz and along the western coast. Military spokesman Colonel Majed Abdullah Al Nuzaili said the strikes targeted artillery and rocket launcher positions, defensive fortifications, supply routes, reinforcements and command and control centres.
Government forces also claimed control of positions near Bab Al Mandab and the Dhubab area. Another report citing military sources said government forces had advanced near Bab Al Mandab and retaken Mocha, while Houthi fighters had withdrawn from parts of the coast.
Saudi Arabia is providing military support to the Yemeni government offensive. Major General Turki Al Maliki, spokesman for the Saudi led coalition, said 100 fighter jets participated in operations on Monday and that continuous air support was being provided to Yemeni forces. He said 324 high value targets had been destroyed.
The escalation also led to an emergency meeting of the Makkah Alliance for Defence involving Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye. The three countries agreed to move towards implementing collective defence commitments, including the rapid deployment of agreed military forces and capabilities to Saudi Arabia, subject to existing arrangements and the national laws of the member states.
The developments represent a major escalation in Yemen, as the internationally recognised government seeks to reverse Houthi territorial gains, Saudi Arabia provides military support and the Houthis threaten Saudi airspace.