Yemen’s Government Launches Offensive to Retake Houthi-Held Territory

Yemen’s internationally recognised government announced a military operation on Sunday aimed at retaking territory held by the Iran-backed Houthis, as fighting intensified around the government-controlled city of Taiz.

“I announce today the start of military operations to retake the remaining territories of the republic and extend the authority of the state and its institutions across the entire national territory,” said Rashad al-Alimi, head of Yemen’s presidential council. He ordered government forces to carry out approved plans until the country was “liberated from the grip” of the Houthis.

The announcement followed reports that Houthi forces had captured the al-Safiya area and severed a key road between Taiz and Aden, the government’s interim capital. A local police source and three Yemeni military sources told AFP that traffic had stopped along the route. Taiz remained under government control but was reportedly surrounded from the north, east and west, with fighting continuing nearby.

Sources from the opposing sides told AFP that more than 70 combatants had been killed in Taiz and neighboring Lahj over the previous day. Government sources reported 34 troops killed, while Houthi sources said 39 of their fighters died.

The Houthis also claimed they launched ballistic missiles and drones at Saudi Aramco facilities in Riyadh and Khurais in response to Saudi-led strikes in Yemen. Saudi Arabia did not immediately confirm the reported attacks.