Yemen launches major counteroffensive against Houthis, vows to retake all seized territory
Photo: Houthis urged to lay down their arms (Getty Images)
On Sunday, Yemen’s internationally recognized, Saudi-backed government announced the launch of a major counteroffensive aimed at retaking all territory controlled by the Iran-backed Houthis, according to Reuters and Axios.
“(The government’s armed forces will continue the offensive — ed.) until the country is liberated from the grip of the terrorist militia,” Yemeni President Rashad al-Alimi said in a televised address.
Later, a military spokesman called on the Houthis to lay down their arms.
Meanwhile, Axios reports that one of the key goals of the operation is to restore control over the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a vital artery for global trade and Saudi oil exports. The offensive also aims to retake the country’s capital, Sanaa, which is controlled by the Houthis.
The counteroffensive had been planned by the Yemeni government and Saudi Arabia for several weeks. Tens of thousands of ground troops loyal to the Yemeni government are taking part in the operation.
The Houthis, meanwhile, continued weekend missile attacks on Saudi targets, including facilities belonging to state-owned oil company Aramco.
What preceded this
Reuters notes that the Houthis, officially known as Ansar Allah, have controlled Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, and large parts of the country’s northwest since 2014, where most of the population lives. Over the years, they have withstood a series of attacks by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Western allies while upgrading their weapons capabilities with Iranian assistance.
Last month, the group launched a surprise offensive that resulted in the capture of the strategically important Bab el-Mandeb area. Within several weeks, the Houthis seized control of the strait and about 150 kilometers of Red Sea coastline, giving them new leverage over an international maritime route.
The offensive also opened a new front in the broader U.S.-Israeli war that began against Iran in February, to which Tehran responded by blocking oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
Previously, Saudi Arabia was planning to take action against the Houthis together with Yemen. Media reports said this could involve an offensive along the coast or a broader assault on several fronts.
