---
title: "Yemeni Government Forces Launch Major Offensive Against Houthi Rebels"
url: https://noti.group/yemeni-government-forces-launch-major-offensive-against-houthi-rebels/
language: en
publisher: "Noti Group"
section: "World News"
published: 2026-10-05T15:29:04.000Z
updated: 2026-10-05T16:32:20.367Z
id: 06ed8cac-e5fc-4eff-b802-d10747d47ace
source: "Al Jazeera https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/10/5/yemeni-govt-forces-aim-for-sanaa-but-houthi-defeat-will-be-a-challenge?traffic_source=rss"
attribution: "Link to https://noti.group/yemeni-government-forces-launch-major-offensive-against-houthi-rebels/ and name Noti Group when you quote or summarize this story."
---

# Yemeni Government Forces Launch Major Offensive Against Houthi Rebels

The announcement marks a significant escalation of hostilities in Yemen as government forces attempt to reclaim lost territories from Houthi rebels.

Yemeni government forces have launched a major offensive to capture all territories lost to Houthi rebels in the war-torn country. The announcement came from Rashad al-Alimi, head of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council, and marks a significant escalation of hostilities.

Forces aligned with the internationally recognized government claimed advances along the strategic Bab al-Mandeb strait, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. They said they had retaken the town of Dhubab and the port city of Mocha after pushing north along the Red Sea coast.

The Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, have controlled the capital Sanaa since September 2014 and made significant territorial gains in northern and western Yemen. The latest fighting marks a return to hostilities that had subsided for four years, with clashes flaring up again in July before a Houthi offensive in early September saw the group make sweeping gains along the Red Sea coast.

Government forces are also attempting to reverse recent Houthi advances around the key city of Taiz in southwestern Yemen. The outcome of this battle will be crucial in determining whether the government can reclaim lost territories and shift the balance of power in the conflict.

Yemeni government forces, backed by their allies in Saudi Arabia, are pushing to reclaim lost territory from Houthi rebels, but their efforts face significant challenges.

According to Yemen analyst Raiman al-Hamdani, the internationally recognised government's ground forces have a large numerical presence, but they lack the cohesion and equipment to effectively push back against the Houthis. The military is scattered across multiple fronts and relies on outdated pre-war gear, limiting its ability to make headway in key areas.

The recent escalation of fighting suggests that the conflict is entering a more perilous phase, with both sides showing a willingness to engage in intense battles. While there may be some elements within the leadership who favour a full-scale war, al-Hamdani notes that this scenario is far from inevitable.

In the long term, a negotiated settlement appears to be the most plausible outcome, one that would see the Houthis retain significant influence in northern Yemen while Saudi Arabia secures greater security guarantees. This arrangement would also require Yemen's rival factions to share power, creating an imperfect but potentially stable political landscape.

The Yemeni government's recent moves indicate a significant shift towards operational and political integration.

This integration is evident in the government's efforts to coordinate its military campaigns with various factions, creating a unified front against the Houthi rebels.

As part of this strategy, the government aims to dictate the terms of the battle for Sanaa, rather than allowing the Houthis to set the pace.

The offensive is designed to allow the government to start on its own terms, potentially giving it an upper hand in the conflict.

Yemen's government has made significant gains in its push to retake Sanaa from Houthi rebels, but experts warn that defeating the group will be a major challenge.

The recent advances by government forces are seen as a demonstration of their commitment to reversing Houthi gains, according to Saeed Thabet, head of Al Jazeera's Yemen bureau. He notes that past promises by the government have often been met with skepticism by Yemenis, who are now seeing tangible action on the ground.

Government forces are also focusing on securing key areas in Taiz governorate, including the Red Sea coast and several villages and districts where Houthi infiltration has been a concern.

---
Source: [Al Jazeera](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/10/5/yemeni-govt-forces-aim-for-sanaa-but-houthi-defeat-will-be-a-challenge?traffic_source=rss)  
Published by Noti Group: https://noti.group/yemeni-government-forces-launch-major-offensive-against-houthi-rebels/