Yemen's Saudi-backed government has declared the launch of a new military operation aimed at retaking all territory currently held by the Houthis. Rashad al-Alimi, head of Yemen’s presidential council, stated on Sunday that the goal is to "retake the remaining territories of the republic and extend the authority of the state and its institutions across the entire national territory."
This announcement follows recent advances by the Iran-backed Houthis, who reportedly cut a vital supply route linking the besieged city of Taiz with the government’s interim capital, Aden, according to four security sources. Three Yemeni military sources confirmed Houthi control over the area, with traffic halted and Taiz city now surrounded. Fighting in the area was ongoing.
Sources from both sides told AFP on Sunday that over 70 people were killed in fighting in and around the western province of Taiz in the past day. Government sources reported 34 government troops killed, while Houthi military sources stated 39 of their fighters were killed.
Separately, a Houthi military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, said on Sunday that the group launched ballistic missiles and drones at Saudi energy company Aramco's sites in Riyadh and Khurais, reportedly causing large fires. The Houthis claimed these attacks were in response to 50 Saudi-led air and missile strikes in Yemen.