In brief
The Saudi‑backed Yemeni government announced a major offensive that began at Saada and Sanaa, moving toward Taiz and the strategic Bab al‑Mandab Strait. The conflict follows a recent exchange of air strikes, with the Houthis claiming hits on Saudi Aramco facilities. President Rashad al‑Alimi declared a nationwide sweep to re‑establish state authority, while the Saudi‑led coalition watches for escalation. Houthi attacks on oil infrastructure could threaten Gulf supplies and ripple through global energy markets.
Yemen’s Saudi‑backed government has announced a large‑scale military offensive to retake territories held by the Iran‑backed Houthis.
After a flare‑up of air strikes in the last days, the Houthis said they had hit Saudi Aramco facilities, claiming it was retaliation for the coalition’s 50 raids in a 12‑hour span. The government’s new campaign, unveiled by President Rashad al‑Alimi, began with an assault on Saada and Sanaa and now includes the frontline city of Taiz, which the Houthis are trying to isolate from Aden.
The operation also targets the strategic Bab al‑Mandab Strait along Yemen’s western coast, a passage vital for global oil shipments. Al‑Alimi’s televised address called it a ‘sweep of the entire national territory’ to re‑establish state authority.
While the Saudi‑led coalition remains uncertain how far the conflict will spread, the Houthis’ attacks on oil infrastructure could push the war farther into the Gulf and complicate already fragile energy markets.
