What happened
The government of Yemen has announced its intention to launch an all-out war to reclaim territory held by the Houthi rebel group. This decision comes after a series of strikes were exchanged between the Houthis and the Saudi-led coalition. The Houthis claimed to have struck sites belonging to the Saudi national oil company, Aramco, in response to what they described as 50 coalition strikes in 12 hours.
The Yemeni president, Rashad al-Alimi, made the announcement in a televised address, stating that the goal is to retake the remaining territory and extend the authority of the state across the entire national territory. The capital, Sanaa, which has been held by the Houthis for over a decade, has come under sustained attack as government forces try to weaken the group's military capabilities.
The frontline in Yemen remains focused around the key city of Taiz, which is still controlled by the internationally recognized government. However, the Houthis have made gains, including cutting a vital supply route linking Taiz with Aden, the interim capital of the Yemeni government. Security sources say the Houthis now control the area and supply route, effectively encircling Taiz.
The conflict has resulted in a humanitarian crisis, with Yemen being one of the poorest countries in the world. The war erupted in 2014, and after several years of relative calm, it reignited in July amid the widening conflict in the Middle East.
