Yemen’s leader announces major military action against Houthi rebels

Yemeni President Rashad al-Alimi on Sunday announced the launch of a major military operation aimed at regaining territory controlled by the Iran-backed Houthi movement.

Al-Alimi said the offensive would seek to restore the authority of the Yemeni government and state institutions across the country. He said the decision was taken after efforts to de-escalate the conflict had failed.

The announcement came after regional and Western officials said Saudi Arabia and allied Yemeni forces were preparing an assault on Houthi-held areas. Under the reported plan, Saudi forces would provide air support while Yemeni forces conduct ground operations.

The Houthis claimed they had fired ballistic missiles and drones at Saudi Aramco facilities in Riyadh and the Khurais area. They said the attacks were carried out in response to dozens of Saudi-led air and missile strikes on Yemen, though Saudi authorities had not immediately confirmed the claims.

Al-Alimi ordered Yemen’s armed and security forces, along with other military formations, to begin operations under approved plans. He described the offensive as a national responsibility to confront the Houthis.

Saudi Arabia has backed Yemen’s internationally recognised government since intervening in the country’s civil war in 2015. Al-Alimi thanked Riyadh for its continued support and urged regional allies and international partners to stand behind Yemen’s government and security forces.