Yemen, Saudi Arabia strike Houthis as counteroffensive gets underway
Yemeni military forces, supported by Saudi airstrikes, have launched a major counteroffensive to reclaim territory held by Houthi rebels. The conflict has intensified, impacting global oil infrastructure and shipping routes in the Red Sea.
Why it matters
The escalation threatens global energy security and supply chains, as Houthi attacks on oil infrastructure exacerbate existing market volatility.
Yemen's military backed by Saudi jets attacked Houthi targets including in the capital on Monday (October 5, 2026) as they launched an ambitious counteroffensive to recapture all territory held by the group following its recent lightning gains.
The Yemeni military said it carried out more than 1,000 strikes and began an offensive against the Houthi-held capital, Sanaa, while the Saudi-led coalition supporting the internationally recognised government said 100 warplanes flew sorties at dawn.
The government announced the lofty goal of retaking all Houthi territory — home to most of Yemen's population, and much of it held for more than a decade — on Sunday (October 4, 2026).
Last month the Iran-backed group seized swathes of coastline along the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait, a chokepoint for oil and cargo shipping, in Yemen's deadliest fighting in years.
Also covering this story
10 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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Yemen’s Saudi-backed government launches military drive to retake all Houthi-held territory
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