Yemen's government announces all-out war to reclaim land from Houthis
BBC News 2026-10-04 16:51:30
Context: Yemen's internationally recognized government, led by President Rashad al-Alimi, has announced an all-out war to reclaim territory held by the Houthi group, which is backed by Iran. The conflict escalated after the Houthis seized control of Yemen's coastline, including the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait, and launched recent attacks on Saudi Arabian oil sites. The Yemeni government's move comes as the country faces a severe humanitarian crisis.
Key Facts
- Yemeni President Rashad al-Alimi announced the start of military operations to retake the remaining territory of the republic and extend the authority of the state across the entire national territory on Sunday.
- The Houthi group launched a ballistic missile and drone attack on Aramco sites in Riyadh and the oil-rich Khurais area in eastern Saudi Arabia, causing large fires at the targeted sites.
- The conflict in Yemen has resulted in a vast humanitarian crisis, with the country being one of the poorest in the world.
- The Houthis have seized control of Yemen's entire Red Sea coast, including the vital Bab al-Mandab Strait, in a lightning offensive last month.