Yemen Launches Major Offensive Against Houthis

Saudi-backed government forces launched a major offensive to retake Houthi-held ground near the Bab el-Mandeb.

Yemen’s internationally recognised government has launched a major military offensive against the Iran-backed Houthi movement, opening one of the most significant new phases in the country’s long-running civil war. Government forces backed by Saudi Arabia are attempting to reclaim territory controlled by the Houthis, including strategically important areas near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The offensive comes after Houthi forces made gains around the western coast and near Taiz.

The geography of the offensive makes it important far beyond Yemen. The Bab el-Mandeb connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and is one of the world’s major maritime chokepoints. Ships travelling between the Indian Ocean and the Suez Canal pass through the region, making control of the coastline strategically valuable. The renewed fighting comes amid wider tensions involving Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United States, increasing the risk that Yemen could become another major front in a broader regional confrontation.

The humanitarian consequences are already severe. Recent fighting has killed hundreds, wounded thousands and displaced more than 170,000 people, according to reports. Taiz remains under pressure, with fighting threatening supply routes and access to basic services. The offensive could change the military balance if government forces retain control of the areas they have captured, but it could also trigger further Houthi attacks against Saudi targets and shipping. The conflict therefore carries both local and international consequences, particularly for energy markets and Red Sea trade.