Yemen’s Saudi‑backed government has announced a major military operation to retake the territory left by the Iran‑backed Houthi movement. The announcement comes after a rapid series of strikes by the Houthis and the Saudi‑led coalition, including an attack on Saudi oil giant Aramco sites in Riyadh and the eastern Khurais region.
In a televised address, President Rashad al‑Alimi vowed to “extend the authority of the state across the national territory,” and the battle has intensified around the key city of Taiz, still held by the internationally recognised government.
The Houthis have also targeted Saudi economic lifelines, flying missiles and drones that sparked flames at Aramco facilities. Saudi Arabia has yet to confirm the attacks, but the coalition’s retaliation has escalated, with reports of civilians injured and infrastructure damaged.
The conflict, which began in 2014 when the Houthis seized Sanaa, now threatens to disrupt vital shipping lanes along the Bab al‑Mandab Strait—a chokepoint for global oil transport.
