Yemen Government Launches Coordinated Offensive Against Houthis with Regional Backing

The internationally recognized government of Yemen has launched a new military campaign titled “Operation Dawn of Yemen,” signaling a decisive shift from defense to offense against the Houthi movement. Announced on Monday, the operation aims to restore state authority nationwide, beginning with immediate ground assaults along the southern Red Sea coast to reclaim strategic territory lost earlier this month.

The initial objective is to reverse the Houthis’ seizure of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, one of the world’s most critical maritime waterways. However, the broader strategic goal is more ambitious: to dislodge the Iranian-backed group from the capital, Sanaa, and other territories it has controlled since its 2014 takeover. While early progress has been limited to marginal advances near the strait, analysts note that the operation is markedly more organized than previous attempts.

A key differentiator in this offensive is the renewed and heavy involvement of Saudi Arabia. The Saudi-led coalition confirmed that 100 fighter jets participated in the strikes—the first public acknowledgment of air operations since a fragile truce began in 2022. These aerial campaigns have supported government forces across multiple fronts, including Taiz, Marib, and al-Jawf.

Maged al-Madhaji, chairman of the Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies, highlighted that the precision and frequency of the recent air strikes exceeded even the initial phases of the Saudi-led coalition’s campaign in 2015. This effectiveness is bolstered by intelligence cooperation with the United States, which has stationed approximately 200 advisers in Saudi Arabia to support the operation.

Retired Lebanese General Elias Hanna described the synergy between air power and ground troops as evidence of a unified command structure, noting that US intelligence provides a critical “intelligence bank” of targets. He emphasized that while air attacks weaken enemy positions, coordinated ground forces are essential to occupy and hold reclaimed territory.

The Giants Brigades, a force formerly trained by the UAE and now backed by Riyadh, have taken a leading role in the fighting, particularly in the al-Waziyah district near Taiz and along the Red Sea coast. Al-Madhaji noted that this marks the first time Saudi operational management has effectively combined with Emirati-trained forces to achieve tangible results against the Houthis.

Internationally, the government has secured significant diplomatic and military backing. The United Kingdom has pledged defensive support to Saudi Arabia, and Riyadh has activated a mutual-defense pact with Turkey and Pakistan. While Ankara has not confirmed troop deployments, Islamabad stated it is providing support roles, including reconnaissance.

Despite these advantages, the path to Sanaa remains long and fraught with danger. Houthi forces have regrouped after losses in Dhubab and continue to press toward Taiz. The group retains robust missile and drone capabilities, strengthened over four years, and has intensified attacks on both government positions and Saudi territory. Capturing major strongholds like the port city of Hodeidah will prove exceptionally difficult.

Government morale remains fragile, and further setbacks could quickly undo the current momentum. Nevertheless, with stronger international backing and improved military coordination, the anti-Houthi operation represents the most coordinated effort since fighting resumed in July, though analysts warn the conflict is likely to persist for many months.