Yemeni government forces have initiated a significant military operation, dubbed "Yemen Dawn," aimed at restoring state institutions, retaking the capital Sana'a, and ending Houthi control. The operation was announced by Rashad al-Alimi, chairman of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council, on Monday. According to Colonel Majed al-Nazili, spokesman for the Yemeni armed forces, the military has begun a "strategic attack" on Sana'a, utilizing modern capabilities.
The offensive comes as government forces have reported advances along Yemen's western coast, near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a crucial maritime chokepoint linking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Al-Nazili stated that the Giants Brigades and Nation's Shield Forces have taken control of the Bab al-Mandab region and Dhubab airport, and have cut the road linking Dhubab and Mokha. This development has resulted in hundreds of Houthi fighters being surrounded in the Dhubab area, with al-Nazili calling on them to surrender.
However, the Houthi-controlled Saba news agency has denied reports of advances towards Dhubab, describing them as "untrue." A Houthi military source claimed that the reports were an attempt to conceal the "failure and repeated defeats" of Saudi-backed forces. The conflicting accounts highlight the ongoing rivalries and tensions between the Yemeni government forces and the Houthi militia.
The Bab al-Mandab Strait has gained significant importance due to the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, which has seen restricted passage since the start of the US-Iran war. The strait's strategic importance has increased, with Tehran seeking to control transit through the strait. The Yemeni government's efforts to regain control of the strait are seen as a critical component of the "Yemen Dawn" operation.
The renewed fighting is part of a broader escalation of violence between the rival factions in Yemen, which have been engaged in heavy fighting for weeks. In September, the Houthi militia seized control of Yemen's entire Red Sea coast in a lightning offensive, gaining access to the strategically important Bab al-Mandab Strait. The developments on the ground reflect the ongoing complexities and challenges in the Yemeni conflict.
The conflict in Yemen has seen various factions vying for control, with the Houthi militia, backed by Iran, pitted against the Yemeni government, supported by Saudi Arabia. The humanitarian situation in Yemen remains dire, with civilians bearing the brunt of the violence. The international community has called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, but efforts so far have yielded limited results.
The "Yemen Dawn" operation marks a significant escalation of the conflict, with the Yemeni government forces seeking to regain control of key territories and restore state institutions. The outcome of the operation remains uncertain, but its impact on the humanitarian situation and the broader regional dynamics is likely to be significant.
Key points
- The Yemeni government forces have launched a major military offensive to retake the capital Sana'a and regain control of the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait from Iran-backed Houthi militia.
- The Bab al-Mandab Strait has gained significant importance due to the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, which has seen restricted passage since the start of the US-Iran war.
- The conflict in Yemen has resulted in a dire humanitarian situation, with civilians bearing the brunt of the violence.
