Saudi-backed forces retake key Yemen areas in major offensive
Yemeni government forces, backed by the Saudi-led coalition, launched a major offensive on Monday, recapturing several key areas near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait from Houthi rebels. The offensive, part of a broader operation dubbed "Yemen Dawn," aimed to retake the strategic town of Dhubab, along with the towns of Bab and Hadeid. The push came under air cover from 100 fighter jets provided by the coalition, which also claimed to have secured air protection of the strait and destroyed hundreds of Houthi targets.
The Houthis retaliated with ballistic and cruise missiles and drones, targeting Saudi oil facilities, airports, and military bases. Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, the Houthis' military spokesman, claimed attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, an oil refinery in Rabigh, Abha airport, and other critical sites. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged that Saudi Arabia and the U.S. have a defense agreement but declined to provide further details on coordination.
The escalation follows a Houthi advance in southwestern Yemen, where they seized the town of Turbah, cutting off government forces' supply lines to Taiz province. The conflict has displaced nearly 174,000 people and killed at least 959, with over 4,200 wounded, according to the World Health Organization. The Yemen Health Ministry warned about the impact on health facilities in Taiz province, many of which have closed or are barely functioning.
Meanwhile, Pakistan and Türkiye agreed with Saudi Arabia to deploy military forces under their defense pact, condemning attacks on Saudi cities and civilian facilities. The joint statement did not specify troop numbers or deployment timelines. The offensive marks a significant escalation in Yemen's civil war, which has raged since 2014, creating one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.