For nearly two years, the Houthis had recruited and mobilised forces for a major military push.
On 9 August, they opened its major phase with ballistic missiles and drones directed at the headquarters of Yemen’s National Resistance Forces (NRF). Four missiles hit the vicinity of Vice President Tareq Saleh’s headquarters, though Saleh escaped.
The group launched what was described as a massive lightning offensive on 4 September. Government forces commanded by Saleh then withdrew unexpectedly at dawn on 10 September.
The advance swept through the coastal towns of Hays and Khawkha, bringing Houthi forces back to Mokha and the entrance to the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
The same geography changed hands in roughly seven days during the 2026 Houthi offensive. The 2017 Golden Arrow operation took about 16 days to capture it.
Before the latest gains, the Houthis already controlled the coastline from Hajjah down to Hodeidah. A Houthi offensive last month gave the group control of strategically important areas overlooking the Bab el-Mandab Strait.
Yemen’s internationally recognized government announced on Sunday that it was launching a large-scale ground offensive against the Iran-backed Houthis.
The Saudi-backed government said its campaign would involve 100,000 troops and seek to retake strategic territory and the Bab el-Mandab Strait.
The strait links the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, connecting through the Suez Canal to Europe and Asia.
Reports indicated that Houthi forces were continuing to advance in southwestern Yemen. The Houthis also threaten a key supply route to Taiz.
The planned push would be led by Yemeni ground forces overseen by Riyadh, with Saudi aerial support. It comes amid repeated Saudi airstrikes on Houthi positions, while Washington is already providing intelligence to assist Riyadh.
Saudi Arabia is preparing a fresh military campaign against Houthi forces, with options under review ranging from a focused coastal drive to a wider assault across multiple fronts.
The NRF estimates that the Houthi mobilisation exceeded 76,000 fighters. The Houthis have also claimed missile and drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities.
Comments (0)