ADEN, Yemen – The Saudi‑led coalition said on Monday that a massive air campaign is backing Yemen’s internationally recognized government in a fresh offensive against Iran‑backed Houthi rebels along the Red Sea coast. Coalition spokesman Maj. Gen. Turki al‑Malki reported that roughly 100 fighter jets are providing “air protection” for the strategic Bab el‑Mandeb Strait and have struck hundreds of Houthi targets.
Ground offensive and recent gains
Yemen’s government forces launched the operation after the Houthis seized the town of Turbah on Sunday, a key crossroads linking the provincial capital of Taiz with the port city of Aden. Turbah’s capture threatens the ability of government troops to resupply and reinforce positions throughout Taiz province, according to the Washington‑based Institute for the Study of War.
In response, President Rashad al‑Alimi of the Presidential Leadership Council declared a “Yemen Dawn” operation aimed at restoring state institutions, liberating the capital Sanaa and ending what he called the Houthi terrorist militia coup. The coalition’s statement emphasized that the campaign will continue until the rebels are “eliminated.”
Strategic importance of the Bab el‑Mandeb
The Bab el‑Mandeb Strait is a vital chokepoint through which about 12% of global trade passes. Securing the waterway is a core objective for the coalition, which says the air campaign is preventing Houthi missile and drone attacks that have targeted Saudi Arabia and its shipping.
Coalition forces also reported strikes on Houthi positions in the coastal town of Dhubab and in the Bab el‑Mandeb area, with the Giants Brigades—a government‑aligned militia—announcing a decisive operation against the rebels.
Humanitarian impact
The renewed fighting has taken a heavy toll on civilians. The World Health Organization estimates at least 959 deaths and more than 4,200 injuries since the latest flare‑up began. Over 145,000 Yemenis have been displaced within the country, and an additional 3,000 have fled across the Red Sea to Djibouti, according to the United Nations migration agency.
Yemen’s health ministry warned that health facilities across Taiz province are either closed or operating at minimal capacity, jeopardizing access to essential medical care for thousands of residents.
International response
Al‑Alimi called on the international community to support the Yemeni government’s efforts, stressing the need for humanitarian aid and diplomatic backing to counter the Houthi threat. While the coalition’s claims have not yet been independently verified, the escalation marks a significant intensification of the conflict that had been relatively quiet after a four‑year ceasefire.
Observers note that the Houthis have previously threatened to block Saudi shipping and have launched missile and drone attacks on Saudi territory, prompting the coalition’s decisive response. The situation remains fluid, and further developments are expected as both sides continue their operations.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
