Yemeni and Saudi forces launch counteroffensive against the Houthis
Yemeni government forces backed by Saudi Arabia launched a counteroffensive against the Houthis on Sunday in an effort to win back territory from the rebel group, the head of Yemen's presidential council said in a speech. "We have exhausted all opportunities for deescalation with the Houthi militias," Rashad al-Alimi said . Why it matters: One of the key objectives of the operation is to regain…
Yemen's government forces, supported by Saudi Arabia, initiated a counteroffensive against the Houthi rebels on Sunday, aiming to reclaim territory lost to the insurgents, according to Yemen's presidential council head Rashad al-Alimi. The operation comes after the Houthis seized control of the strategic Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a crucial trade route and Saudi oil export pathway, providing them leverage over the U.S., its Gulf allies, and the global economy.
Despite Saudi Arabia's requests for U.S. involvement, the United States is not directly engaging in combat with the Houthis, instead offering intelligence and targeting support, officials say.
The counteroffensive has been meticulously planned over several weeks by Yemen's internationally recognized government and Saudi Arabia. Approximately ten thousand ground troops loyal to the Yemeni government are taking part, while the Saudi military offers air support through airstrikes on Houthi targets. The primary objective is to retake Yemen's capital, Sanaa, which has been under Houthi control for years.
The Houthis have continued launching missile attacks on Saudi targets, including Aramco facilities, over the weekend.
The conflict has drawn attention to U.S. President Donald Trump, who is torn between supporting Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and avoiding involvement in another Middle Eastern conflict. CENTCOM, the U.S. Central Command, had reservations about initiating strikes in Yemen due to the operation's potential distraction from its focus on Iran, according to a U.S. official.
On Thursday, Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman briefed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about the planned operation and requested further U.S. airstrikes, though the U.S. remains committed to not taking kinetic action for now, though that could change if the operation encounters difficulties.
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