Rashad al-Alimi, leader of Yemen's Saudi-backed and internationally-recognized government, announced the start of a major military operation on Sunday. The full-scale bid aims to recapture all territory under the control of the Iran-backed Houthis and restore state authority throughout Yemen, following weeks of escalation between the two sides.
Yemen's armed forces have conducted strikes against the Houthis in their stronghold of Saada and the capital, Sanaa. Houthi-linked media reported 26 Saudi raids on Sanaa, with loud explosions rocking the city on Saturday, and accused Saudi Arabia of bombing the capital for the first time since renewed fighting broke out in July. Meanwhile, government forces closed a key crossing connecting Houthi-held al-Houban to the government-held city of Taiz, as Houthi forces cut off a vital supply route to the besieged city.
The Iran-backed militia responded by targeting an Aramco site in Riyadh, alleging precise missile and drone strikes. Smoke and fire were reported at the Saudi oil facility, raising fears of a widening war. A spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition stated that the Houthi group is attempting to divert attention from its losses.