Yemen government launches offensive against Houthis

Published: 05 October 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

Yemen’s internationally recognised government has announced a major new military campaign aimed at reclaiming territory controlled by the Houthi movement, raising fears of a significant escalation in the country’s long-running civil war. The announcement came after Houthi forces reportedly captured a key area near the western city of Taiz and cut an important supply route linking the besieged city with Aden, the government’s interim capital.

Rashad al-Alimi, head of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, announced the military operation on Sunday, declaring that government forces would seek to recover the remaining territory held by the Houthis and restore state authority across the country. The objective represents one of the most ambitious military declarations by Yemen’s internationally recognised authorities in recent years.

The announcement comes at a particularly difficult moment for government forces, which have struggled to contain a rapid Houthi advance in several strategically important areas. The Iran-backed movement has recently captured significant parts of Yemen’s Red Sea coastline and expanded its influence around the Bab al-Mandab Strait, one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints.

The latest developments around Taiz have added another layer of urgency to the conflict. Security and military sources reported that Houthi fighters had seized control of the al-Safiya area, taking over a police station and cutting the main road used to supply government-held areas of Taiz. The road reportedly connects the city with Aden and has long been an important lifeline for civilians and government forces.

Several Yemeni military and security sources confirmed the reported Houthi advance, saying traffic along the route had been halted. The fighting was continuing in surrounding areas, while Houthi forces were reported to be tightening their positions around Taiz.

Taiz has remained one of the most important battlefronts in Yemen’s civil war. Although the city itself remains under the control of government forces, Houthi fighters have maintained positions around large parts of it for years. The city has effectively remained under siege from several directions, creating severe difficulties for residents and restricting the movement of humanitarian supplies and commercial goods.

The renewed fighting has already resulted in substantial casualties. Accounts from opposing sides indicated that more than 70 people were killed in fighting in and around Taiz over a 24-hour period. Government sources reported the deaths of 34 government troops, including 20 who were killed near the edge of Taiz province in neighbouring Lahj. Houthi military sources reported that 39 of their fighters were killed in battles across Taiz and areas along the Lahj border.

The figures could not immediately be independently verified, reflecting the broader difficulty of establishing reliable casualty numbers during Yemen’s rapidly changing conflict. Nevertheless, the reports point to a sharp intensification of fighting in a region that has already endured years of violence, displacement and economic hardship.

For civilians in Taiz, the renewed offensive threatens to deepen an already serious humanitarian crisis. The city has experienced prolonged shortages and restrictions because of its geographical isolation and the surrounding military positions. Any further disruption of the main supply route could make access to food, medicine and other essential goods more difficult.

The government’s announcement also comes as the Houthis intensify their attacks against Saudi Arabia. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the group had launched ballistic missiles and drones towards sites belonging to Saudi energy giant Aramco in Riyadh and the Khurais area in eastern Saudi Arabia.

According to the Houthi statement, the attacks caused large fires and were carried out in response to dozens of Saudi-led air and missile strikes against targets inside Yemen. Saudi authorities had not immediately confirmed the Houthi account or provided a detailed assessment of any damage.

The exchange marks another escalation in a conflict that has increasingly developed a regional dimension. Saudi Arabia has provided military backing to Yemen’s internationally recognised government for years, while Iran has been accused of supporting the Houthi movement. The rivalry between Riyadh and Tehran has therefore remained closely intertwined with Yemen’s internal political and military struggle.

The latest Houthi attacks also come at a sensitive time for Saudi Arabia’s energy sector. Saudi oil exports have already faced pressure because of wider instability in the region and disruptions affecting major shipping routes. Further attacks on energy infrastructure could raise concerns about supplies and contribute to volatility in global energy markets.

The Houthis’ expanding military activity has also increased international concern because of Yemen’s proximity to major shipping routes. The Bab al-Mandab Strait connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and provides a crucial passage for international trade. Any prolonged instability in the surrounding territory could have consequences well beyond Yemen’s borders.

The government’s decision to launch a campaign to retake all Houthi-held territory therefore carries considerable risks. A large-scale offensive could restore government control over strategically important areas if successful, but it could also trigger further fighting and civilian displacement in regions already devastated by years of war.

Yemen’s conflict has repeatedly demonstrated the difficulty of achieving a decisive military victory. The internationally recognised government has received backing from Saudi Arabia and other regional partners, while the Houthis have established strong positions across large parts of northern and western Yemen. The movement has also developed significant military capabilities during years of conflict.

The new offensive will therefore require substantial military resources and coordination if the government hopes to make meaningful territorial gains. The ability of government-aligned forces to maintain supply lines, coordinate different armed factions and withstand Houthi counterattacks will be critical to the campaign’s outcome.

The situation is particularly sensitive around Taiz. Losing the remaining supply route would place additional pressure on government forces inside the city and could further isolate civilians. For the government, maintaining access to Taiz is strategically important because the city represents one of its most significant remaining strongholds in western Yemen.

For the Houthis, meanwhile, strengthening their positions around Taiz could provide a major strategic advantage. Control over surrounding roads and territory could allow the movement to increase pressure on government forces and potentially restrict their ability to reinforce the city.

The latest escalation also highlights the continuing fragility of Yemen’s political situation. Years of attempts to negotiate an end to the conflict have failed to produce a durable national settlement, while rival political and military groups continue to compete for control over territory and state institutions.

The announcement by al-Alimi suggests that Yemen’s government is now seeking to change the military balance rather than simply defend its existing positions. Whether that strategy can succeed remains uncertain, particularly as the Houthis have demonstrated an ability to launch coordinated attacks and rapidly exploit weaknesses on the battlefield.

For ordinary Yemenis, however, another military escalation is likely to bring further hardship regardless of which side gains territory. Millions of people have already endured displacement, poverty, damaged infrastructure and limited access to basic services during the conflict. Renewed fighting around populated areas could intensify those pressures.

The coming weeks are therefore likely to be closely watched across the region. Government forces will attempt to consolidate their positions and launch operations against Houthi-held territory, while the Houthis are expected to defend their gains and continue using missile and drone attacks to put pressure on Saudi Arabia and government allies.

Yemen now faces the prospect of another potentially prolonged period of fighting, with Taiz once again emerging as a central battlefield. The government’s declaration of a campaign to reclaim all Houthi-held territory marks a significant escalation in its ambitions. Whether it becomes the beginning of a successful counteroffensive or another chapter in Yemen’s long cycle of conflict will depend on developments on the ground, the strength of regional support and the ability of the opposing sides to withstand mounting military and humanitarian pressures.