Yemen announces military campaign to reclaim land from Iran-backed Houthis

Yemen's internationally recognised leadership has unveiled a broad military offensive aimed at regaining areas held by the Iran-backed Houthi movement, following a sharp escalation in cross-border and domestic strikes involving a Saudi-led alliance.

Yemeni President Rashad al-Alimi confirmed the move during a broadcast from Riyadh, declaring the launch of armed operations to re-establish governance across all Yemeni land. The announcement comes as fighting intensifies around strategic locations and regional infrastructure, according to BBC News.

The declaration coincides with renewed clashes across key frontlines inside the country, notably surrounding the southwestern city of Taiz. The city remains under government control but has faced severe pressure from Houthi forces. According to reports cited by the news agency AFP, the rebels recently severed a critical road connecting Taiz to the interim capital of Aden, effectively isolating the city as the group attempts to consolidate authority over nearby coastal territory and the vital shipping route along the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

Beyond internal battles, the hostilities have expanded into cross-border strikes against Saudi Arabian energy infrastructure. Houthi military representatives claimed responsibility on Sunday for coordinated ballistic missile and drone hits targeting facilities owned by state oil company Aramco, including sites in Riyadh and the eastern Khurais district. The group stated that the attacks caused major blazes and were carried out in retaliation for dozens of coalition airstrikes conducted over a twelve-hour window. Saudi authorities have not officially commented on the reported damages.

Simultaneously, coalition and government forces have stepped up their own air and ground campaigns. Government operations have struck Houthi installations in the capital, Sanaa, which the insurgents have occupied for over a decade, as well as positions in their northern stronghold of Saada and surrounding Taiz. Houthi-affiliated media reported civilian injuries following coalition air raids over the weekend.

The protracted conflict in Yemen, which initially escalated in 2014 when the Houthis captured Sanaa, has triggered severe humanitarian distress across the nation. While hostilities had experienced extended periods of lower intensity in recent years, regional tensions have reignited active fighting, accompanied by Houthi efforts to pressure regional trade routes and energy markets. It remains uncertain whether the Yemeni government's newly announced offensive will successfully shift the broader balance of power on the ground.