Yemeni government forces launched a new military offensive on Monday aimed at pushing back the Iranian-backed Houthi movement and regaining control of strategic territory along Yemen’s western coast. The operation, dubbed "Dawn of Yemen" by Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council President Rashad al-Alimi, seeks to restore state institutions, recapture the capital Sanaa, and dismantle extensive Houthi-held areas.
The offensive marks a notable shift in the conflict after the Houthis seized a critical strip of land near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in September 2023. The strait serves as a key maritime chokepoint connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, and control over this area provides leverage over international shipping lanes—a concern for Saudi Arabia, Yemen’s main backer, and international actors including the United States.
However, Yemeni government forces remain fragmented with multiple fronts operating independently across the country. These fronts include southern Yemen, where the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council had maintained relative calm during a 2022 truce, as well as areas around Taiz and northern Yemen. The 2022 truce, though expired, still contributes to a largely static front line, complicating any unified government push.
Despite the ongoing offensive, the Houthis continue to advance in some areas, according to analysis from the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War. The group, formally known as Ansar Allah, has maintained strong internal lines of control and has shown resilience in past military engagements.
On Monday, Yemeni government spokesperson Maj.-Gen. Majed Abdullah Al-Nuzali reported that government forces had conducted over 1,100 strikes targeting Houthi military infrastructure across Saada, Al-Jawf, and Taiz provinces. The Yemeni Armed Forces claimed to have neutralized nearly 1,750 Houthi fighters and destroyed or disabled hundreds of vehicles and equipment, although these figures have not been independently verified.
The Saudi-led Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen is providing air support for the operation, with coalition officials stating that around 100 aircraft participated during the initial phase and are maintaining cover near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to support troops on the ground.
The Houthis, who emerged from the Zaydi Shi’ite community in northern Yemen, have fought against the Yemeni government since 2004 and took control of Sanaa in 2014. The group has strengthened its military capabilities with ballistic missiles and long-range drones, reportedly with Iranian assistance. Since late 2023, the Houthis have also expanded attacks on maritime targets in the Red Sea and launched drone strikes towards Israel, heightening regional tensions.
The latest government offensive follows statements earlier in the week by Rashad al-Alimi, who declared the commencement of a decisive phase in Yemen’s conflict. The Yemeni government insists that the operation targets Houthi forces and military infrastructure rather than civilians in Houthi-controlled zones.
Meanwhile, the Houthis have reportedly launched preemptive attacks in Taiz province, where they claimed to have seized the home of Alimi as well as that of the Yemeni parliament speaker, Sheikh Sultan Al-Barakani. These advances came amid clashes with government troops and civilians, as the Houthis sought to thwart anticipated offensives by forces aligned with the Yemeni government and the Southern Transitional Council along coastal areas near Bab el-Mandeb.
The evolving situation reflects the complex dynamics of Yemen’s prolonged conflict, which continues to fragment the country and impede efforts towards a stable resolution. While the government and its allies seek to regain territory, the Houthis maintain significant military strength and control in many regions, raising questions about the durability and outcome of the new offensive.