Yemeni government forces counter Houthi offensive with Saudi-backed strikes

Yemeni government forces, supported by a Saudi Arabian coalition, launched a counter‑offensive on Saturday after the Houthi rebels initiated fresh attacks in territories under government control in the north‑central governorates of Marib and Al‑Jawf. The response, which included a series of airstrikes and artillery bombardments, targeted Houthi positions that had reportedly advanced toward key supply routes and military outposts, according to statements released by the Yemeni Ministry of Defense and the Saudi-led coalition’s spokesperson. The strikes were said to have hit command centers, weapons depots and vehicle convoys, with preliminary reports indicating several Houthi combatants killed and a number of militants wounded, while the coalition reported no casualties among its own forces.

The latest round of fighting underscores the fragile security situation in Yemen, where the government and Houthi factions have been locked in a protracted conflict since 2014, with Saudi Arabia providing air and logistical support to the internationally recognized administration. International observers have warned that renewed hostilities threaten to derail ongoing humanitarian aid deliveries and diplomatic efforts aimed at a ceasefire. Both sides have called for a de‑escalation, but the government’s retaliatory strikes signal a continued willingness to use force to repel Houthi advances and maintain control over contested regions.