Yemen launches offensive against Houthis as war flares up
President Rashad al-Alimi says government forces want to retake areas under Houthi control.
Follow-up to: Saudi Arabia considers offensive against Houthis Friday, 2 October 2026, 20:02
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Yemeni government leader Rashad al-Alimi has announced military operations against the Houthis. According to AP, the Houthis reported air strikes on Sanaa, while the Yemeni army claimed responsibility for those attacks.
This is a clear new step in a conflict that already drew attention in the previous round because of a possible Saudi Arabian offensive. At the time, an attack around Bab el-Mandeb or simultaneous operations on several fronts had not yet been publicly confirmed; now the internationally backed Yemeni leadership says the military phase has begun.
Alimi, chairman of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, said according to Arab News that the operation was intended to bring the remaining areas under Houthi control back under state authority. He described the announcement as a decisive phase and called on international partners to support Yemen.
According to the same source, the president stressed that civilians in Sanaa, Hodeidah and Saada would not be targeted. He called on residents in Houthi-controlled areas to stay away from the movement’s assembly points. That appeal is a political statement by the government, not an independent guarantee of how the operations will unfold.
AP reported that the Houthis reported air strikes on Sanaa and blamed Saudi Arabia for them. The Houthi media office provided no evidence. Yemeni military spokesman Majed al-Nazili subsequently said that government forces had attacked targets in Sanaa and the northern province of Saada.
The Houthis also said, according to The National, that an attack on a Saudi oil site had achieved its objective and that fires had broken out in several places. Those claims have not been independently confirmed. It is also unclear which areas have actually been captured by the new operations or how many casualties there have been.
The escalation follows a four-year ceasefire, according to AP, in a conflict in which Saudi Arabia supports the Yemeni government and the Houthis are backed by Iran. The fighting therefore affects not only Yemen, but also security around the Red Sea and shipping between the Indian Ocean and the Suez Canal.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The Yemeni government leader has announced military operations.
- The Houthis and the Yemeni army report attacks, but partly contradict each other over responsibility and results.
- There is still no independent confirmation of territorial gains or casualty figures.
Left
Arguments An offensive increases the risk to civilians and could further block a diplomatic way out. International support should focus primarily on protecting civilians, humanitarian aid and negotiations.
Values Human security, international law and restraint in the use of military force.
Consequences More attacks could lead to new refugee flows, greater humanitarian needs and further instability around trade routes.
Centre
Arguments The government has the right to restore its authority, but military action must be controllable, proportionate and linked to a diplomatic plan. The claims of all parties should be independently verified.
Values State authority, institutional responsibility, the rule of law and practical conflict management.
Consequences A limited operation could increase pressure on the Houthis, but without a political settlement the underlying division will remain.
Right
Arguments A state cannot indefinitely accept an armed movement controlling large parts of the country and strategic routes. Clear military deterrence may be necessary to regain authority and security.
Values National sovereignty, order, security and deterrence.
Consequences A restrained response could, from this perspective, encourage the Houthis, but a prolonged offensive could itself cause further regional escalation.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The article’s central claims are supported by Arab News and AP. Unconfirmed wartime claims are explicitly attributed as claims.
- confirmed Rashad al-Alimi announced military operations to retake Houthi territory. — Reported by Arab News. source
- confirmed The Houthis reported air strikes on Sanaa. — AP describes the report by the Houthi media office. source
- confirmed The Yemeni army claimed responsibility for attacks on Sanaa and Saada. — AP quotes military spokesman Majed al-Nazili. source
- uncertain The Houthis claimed success in an attack on a Saudi oil site. — The National reported the claim, but independent confirmation is lacking. source
- confirmed The new escalation follows a four-year ceasefire. — AP describes the renewed war after a four-year truce. source
Editor's note
Alimi’s announcement and the air strikes have been reported by multiple sources. Claims about success, damage, territorial gains and casualty figures have not yet been independently confirmed.Sources
The story so far
- Friday, 2 October 2026, 00:01 US sends third aircraft carrier to Middle East
- Friday, 2 October 2026, 20:02 Saudi Arabia considers offensive against Houthis
- Saturday, 3 October 2026, 06:17 Camp David talks heighten pressure over Iran and Yemen
- Sunday, 4 October 2026, 00:57 US says it expelled two Iranian UN delegates
- Sunday, 4 October 2026, 13:02 Iran keeps Strait of Hormuz closed until demands are met
- Sunday, 4 October 2026, 16:00 Yemen launches offensive against Houthis as war flares up (this article)
More on this in Dutch media
- Het Parool — „jemen houthi’s”
- Trouw — „jemen houthi’s”
- NRC — „jemen houthi’s”