Yemeni government forces announced early Thursday that counter-offensive operations have “neutralised” 1,860 Houthi fighters and involved 2,103 precise targeting operations across multiple fronts under the banner of the “Dawn of Yemen” operation.
The latest military push follows weeks of escalating clashes along Yemen’s Red Sea coast. Rashad al-Alimi, chairman of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, launched the broader offensive on Sunday with the stated objective of reclaiming all territory controlled by the Houthi movement, also known as Ansar Allah, including the capital city of Sanaa, which the Iran-backed group has held since 2014.
Fighting has heavily concentrated around the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. According to Reuters, government forces deployed armoured vehicles in advances near Dhubab in the Taiz Governorate, while allied units also recaptured the towns of Bab and Hadeid. The Bab al-Mandeb Strait serves as a vital global maritime chokepoint through which 12 percent of global trade transits.
The strategic importance of the corridor has magnified this year. With conflict between the United States and Iran restricting trade through the Strait of Hormuz, energy exporters and global supply chains have grown increasingly dependent on the Red Sea route.
The Saudi-led military coalition supporting the internationally recognised Yemeni government reported executing complementary airstrikes. The coalition’s spokesperson stated on Wednesday that 82 Houthi military targets were destroyed across Saada, Hodeidah, al-Jawf, and Marib. These strikes targeted 11 mountain-based ballistic missile storages in Saada, along with command centers and communication systems.
The airport attacks drew swift regional condemnation. Kuwait denounced the strikes as a flagrant violation of Saudi sovereignty and international law, while Egypt warned that the actions threaten the security of the entire region. Al-Saadi maintained that the government seeks a permanent end to the war rather than a temporary truce, arguing that temporary pauses only serve to lead to renewed fighting at a later date.
Saudi-Led Coalition Targets Houthi Positions and Neutralises Fighters
| Operation / Engagement | Key Actors | Primary Focus Area | Reported Metrics |
|---|---|---|---|
| “Dawn of Yemen” Operation | Saudi-backed Yemeni Government Forces vs. Houthis | Sanaa, Taiz, Bab al-Mandeb Strait | 1,860 Houthi fighters neutralised; 2,103 targeting operations |
| Saudi-Led Coalition Airstrikes | Riyadh-led Coalition vs. Houthi positions | Saada, Hodeidah, al-Jawf, Marib | 82 military targets destroyed, including 11 missile storages |
| Regional Defense Coordination | Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Turkey | Border defense, anti-drone tech, strategic deterrence | 30,000 to 40,000 Pakistani troops deployed for regional defense |
