Yemeni government forces have launched a military campaign to retake all territory held by Houthi rebels, following fresh strikes by the Iran-backed militia on Saudi Arabia’s Aramco oil facilities. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree announced on Sunday that the group had launched a ballistic missile and drone attack on Aramco sites in Riyadh and the Khurais area, claiming both operations achieved their objectives and caused large fires at the targeted sites. The Yemeni government, led by Presidential Council head Rashad al-Alimi, declared the start of operations to reclaim rebel-held areas, including the entire Red Sea coastline and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, which the Houthis seized in a recent offensive.
Houthi strikes target Aramco facilities as Yemen declares counteroffensive
The Houthis said their attacks on Aramco were in retaliation for 50 Saudi-led coalition air and missile strikes in Yemen over 12 hours, though Saudi Arabia has not yet commented. Flames and thick black smoke were reported at an Aramco facility south of Riyadh, though neither the Houthis nor Saudi authorities have confirmed the extent of the damage. The strikes mark a significant escalation in the conflict, which reignited in July after a fragile truce collapsed following an Iranian plane carrying a Houthi delegation to Sanaa.
Yemeni government vows to retake all rebel-held territory
In a televised address, al-Alimi announced the start of military operations to extend state authority across Yemen, framing the campaign as a liberation effort. The government, based in Aden, controls much of southern and eastern Yemen, while the Houthis hold the north, including the capital Sanaa. The Houthis have made recent gains, encircling government-held cities and seizing critical coastal areas, including the Bab al-Mandab Strait—a vital shipping chokepoint. The group’s military spokesman claimed the strikes on Aramco were precise and successful, further escalating fears of global oil supply disruptions.
Regional tensions escalate amid broader Middle East conflict
The renewed hostilities coincide with broader regional instability. Iran reiterated on Sunday that the Strait of Hormuz would not reopen unless its conditions for ending the war with the U.S. are met, including halting U.S. aggression and lifting economic sanctions. Meanwhile, two tankers were struck over the weekend near Oman and in the Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns about maritime security. The UK Maritime Trade Operations Centre reported the incidents, though no group has claimed responsibility.
Humanitarian crisis worsens amid renewed fighting
The escalation has deepened Yemen’s humanitarian crisis, with millions displaced and facing severe shortages of food, medicine, and clean water. The conflict has persisted for nearly a decade, with intermittent truces failing to hold. The latest round of violence follows the collapse of a 2022 ceasefire, which had provided a brief period of relative calm. Analysts warn that the renewed fighting could further destabilize the region, particularly given the Houthis’ control over key trade routes and their alignment with Iran.
Key actors and their stated positions
- Houthi rebels: Claim their attacks on Aramco were retaliation for Saudi-led airstrikes in Yemen and vowed to continue targeting Saudi infrastructure. They also accused Saudi Arabia of launching 26 airstrikes on Sanaa over the weekend, though Saudi officials have not commented.
- Yemeni government: Led by Rashad al-Alimi, it has declared a military campaign to retake all rebel-held territory, framing the Houthis as a “terrorist militia” and calling for international support.
- Saudi Arabia: Has not publicly responded to the Houthi attacks but remains a key backer of the Yemeni government. Aramco, the state-owned oil giant, has not confirmed the extent of the damage.
- Iran: Reiterated its stance on the Strait of Hormuz, linking its reopening to U.S. concessions, including an end to economic warfare and sanctions.
Background: The roots of the conflict
The war in Yemen began in 2014 when the Houthis, a Zaidi Shia rebel group, seized Sanaa and later expanded their control across northern Yemen. The internationally recognized government, backed by a Saudi-led coalition, has struggled to regain territory despite years of military intervention. The conflict has drawn in regional powers, with Iran supporting the Houthis and Saudi Arabia leading the coalition against them. The recent Houthi offensive has further complicated peace efforts, with the group now controlling the entire Red Sea coastline and threatening one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes.