Yemeni forces launch counteroffensive against Houthis, vow to retake Sanaa

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Published: 2026-09-08T07:00:42.758Z • Permanent link

Yemeni government forces launched a counteroffensive against Houthi rebels in the capital city of Sanaa, according to sources close to the Yemeni military. The operation, which began on Wednesday, aims to retake key infrastructure and strategic locations from the Houthi-held territory. The Houthis, a Shia Islamist group, have controlled Sanaa since 2015, when they seized the city in a popular uprising against President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi's government.

President Hadi's forces, supported by a Saudi-led coalition of Arab states, have been preparing for weeks to retake Sanaa, which is a critical hub for the country's economy and government. The operation is seen as a major escalation in the Yemeni conflict, which has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions since 2015. The United Nations has warned of a humanitarian crisis in Yemen, citing the risk of widespread famine and disease.

Houthi rebels have been using Sanaa as a base to launch attacks on Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states, as well as to launch drone strikes on major cities in the region. The operation by Yemeni government forces is seen as an attempt to disrupt Houthi operations and to restore control over the city.

The counteroffensive by Yemeni government forces has significant implications for the global energy market, particularly in the Middle East. The Houthi-controlled port city of Hudaydah is one of the busiest ports in the region, and control of the city could give the Saudi-led coalition a critical advantage in the war. The port is a key route for oil exports from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states, and a disruption to the port could lead to higher oil prices and increased tensions in the region.

The conflict in Yemen also has significant implications for the global humanitarian community. The war has caused widespread destruction and displacement, and the United Nations has warned of a major humanitarian crisis in the country. The international community is increasingly concerned about the humanitarian impact of the conflict, and there is growing pressure on governments and donors to provide more support for humanitarian efforts in Yemen.

The conflict in Yemen is part of a larger pattern of instability in the Middle East, which has seen a series of military interventions and power struggles in recent years. The Saudi-led coalition's intervention in Yemen is part of a broader effort to stabilize the region and to counter the influence of Iran, which is seen as a key backer of the Houthi rebels. The conflict in Yemen also has historical and cultural roots, with the Houthi rebels drawing on a long-standing Shia Islamist movement in Yemen.