Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council head announces military campaign to retake Houthi-held areas

Rashad al-Alimi, head of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council, announced on Sunday, October 4, a new military campaign to retake the areas still held by the Houthis. The army, security forces and other military units have been ordered to begin operations to restore government authority and state institutions across the country. The order is not limited to any one unit and covers the army, security forces and all other military units.

In a televised address, Alimi said the military operation had begun. He said the army and security agencies should carry out their respective responsibilities under the approved plan. The plan had been approved earlier, and each agency is now to play its part accordingly. The aim of the campaign is to re-establish government control over the whole of Yemen. Government agencies have been placed on high alert until the campaign is complete.

The announcement comes as clashes between the Houthis and pro-government forces in Yemen have intensified. Fighting has recently escalated in the Taiz area, and Houthi actions have increased pressure on government-held areas. The Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait are also highly important to the conflict, as a large share of the world's trade and oil shipments passes through this route. The intensity of the conflict has remained high in the Red Sea region as well as in Taiz.

The Yemeni government led by Alimi has the backing of Saudi Arabia, and the campaign has been launched with that support. The new campaign is likely to involve coordination between the Yemeni government forces' operations and Saudi air strikes. If the conflict widens, it could affect shipping in the Red Sea, oil supplies and Yemen's already grave humanitarian situation. The new campaign could give fresh momentum to the conflict that has been under way in Yemen since 2014.