Yemeni Forces Launch Counter-Offensive Against Houthis, Vow to Retake Sanaa

The situation in Yemen has taken a dire turn as government forces backed by Saudi Arabia launch a counter-offensive against the Houthi rebels. The bid to retake Sanaa from the Iran-backed group is the most serious escalation since a United Nations-brokered truce halted large-scale fighting in 2022.

This latest development is part of a broader pattern of regional tensions triggered by the US and Israel’s war on Iran. Diplomats had hoped that the truce would evolve into a durable political settlement, but those efforts have faltered amid escalating violence. The war in Yemen began in 2014 after the Houthis took Sanaa, prompting a Saudi-led military intervention the following year.

The humanitarian consequences of this conflict are staggering. Clashes between Yemeni forces and Houthis have intensified in several provinces, including al-Bayda and al-Jawf. According to the World Health Organization, nearly 900 people have been killed or wounded since Thursday alone. Furthermore, an estimated 21,000 people – roughly 3,000 families – have been displaced from Taiz.

The situation is not just a local concern but has regional implications. The Houthis’ declaration of a blockade against Saudi vessels transiting the Bab al-Mandeb Strait in the Red Sea has significant implications for Saudi oil exports. Iran’s restrictions on passage through the Strait of Hormuz have sparked concerns about global shipping.

The conflict highlights the limitations of international intervention. Diplomats had hoped to broker a durable peace agreement, but those efforts have been derailed by regional rivalries and interests. The US and Israel’s war on Iran has created an environment where proxy wars like Yemen’s can thrive.

As fighting intensifies in Taiz, al-Jawf, and al-Bayda, civilians are caught in the crossfire. Major-General Samir Al-Sabri, Yemen’s deputy defence minister, warned that the government will take all necessary measures to retake Sanaa from Houthi control. The objective is clear: to “liberate Yemen from the grip” of the Houthis and restore the capital as a symbol of national unity.

However, this conflict also raises questions about the long-term consequences for Yemen’s fragile state institutions. Rashad al-Alimi, the head of Yemen’s Saudi-backed Presidential Leadership Council, warned that the Houthi group will bear full responsibility for the consequences of its actions. But what happens when fighting dies down? Will Yemen’s government be able to rebuild and restore stability?

The international community is watching with growing concern as this conflict unfolds. Diplomats must now redouble their efforts to broker a lasting peace agreement, one that addresses regional rivalries and interests. The fate of millions of Yemenis hangs in the balance.

As the battle for Sanaa intensifies, it’s clear that Yemen’s conflict is not just about territorial control but also about the country’s very identity. The outcome will have far-reaching implications for the entire region.