Yemeni government launches offensive to seize all areas from Iran-backed Houthis
Yemen's government said it was launching a major military campaign to recapture all areas of the country controlled by the Iran-backed Houthis.
TL;DR
- Yemen's internationally recognized government is launching a major military offensive to recapture all Houthi-controlled areas.
- The government aims to liberate the country from the 'terrorist militia' and has called on the Houthis to surrender.
- The Houthis, who control Yemen's capital Sanaa and northwestern regions, recently seized the strategic Bab el-Mandeb strait and Red Sea coast.
- This Yemeni conflict is linked to a wider US-Israeli war against Iran, with Iran potentially responding by disrupting oil shipping.
- The Houthi offensive is seen as gaining leverage and opening a new front in regional conflicts.
- The government's decision follows the exhaustion of de-escalation chances and is supported by Saudi Arabia, with intelligence from the US and aid from regional/European nations.
- The conflict has been ongoing since 2011, with the Houthis capturing Sanaa in 2014.
- A 2022 truce largely held until this year, when Houthi attacks spilled over from the Iran war.
- Recent Houthi advances threaten to besiege the city of Taiz, worsening the humanitarian crisis.