Yemen’s government is on the attack against the Houthis. What has changed?

Yemen's internationally recognized government has launched "Operation Dawn of Yemen" to regain territory from the Houthi rebels, aiming to reverse recent Houthi gains, including control of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. This offensive, which began on October 6, 2026, is characterized by increased Saudi aerial support, with 100 fighter jets participating, and renewed international backing, including US intelligence and advisory support. The operation is being conducted in a more organized manner than previous government efforts, with a unified command structure and the prominent involvement of the experienced Giants Brigades. The government's ultimate goal is to retake areas held by the Houthis for over a decade, including the capital, Sanaa.

Yemen's Saudi-backed government has launched a new military operation to retake all Houthi-held territory, according to a statement from Rashad al-Alimi, head of the presidential council. This announcement comes as the Iran-backed Houthis have reportedly made gains, encircling the government-held city of Taiz by cutting a vital supply route. The operation aims to extend state authority across the entire country. The government has struggled to regain territory lost to the Houthis, including areas along the Red Sea coastline. Fighting in the Taiz region has resulted in significant casualties on both sides. Simultaneously, the Houthis claimed to have launched missile and drone attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure in response to Saudi-led airstrikes.

Yemeni government forces claim to have secured the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a claim denied by Houthi-run media. The Houthis assert they launched missiles and drones at Saudi Aramco oil sites in Riyadh and Khurais in response to Saudi strikes. This conflict, ongoing since 2014, escalated in 2015 with Saudi-led coalition intervention. Recently, the Houthis launched an offensive along the Red Sea coast, taking areas overlooking the strait. They stated they would not threaten international shipping but would target Saudi vessels. Since August 6th, the fighting has resulted in at least 959 deaths and 5,000 injuries, with 197,000 displaced according to UN figures.

Yemeni government forces, backed by the Saudi-led coalition, have launched a significant counter-offensive named "Dawn of Yemen" along the Red Sea coast, recapturing territory from the Houthi group. This operation, the most consequential escalation since a 2022 truce, aims to secure the strategic Bab al-Mandeb strait, a vital shipping route. Success hinges on maintaining government force cohesion and overstretching Houthi resources across multiple fronts, including the western coast, Taiz, and Marib. While external support is present, the article highlights a lack of unified command and political agreement among anti-Houthi factions as a key challenge, contrasting with the Houthis' centralized leadership. The offensive's ultimate success will depend on more than just territorial gains, requiring the Houthis to reconsider their conflict calculus.