Forces of Yemen’s internationally recognized government began a major offensive Monday against the Iranian-backed Houthis rebels on the country’s Red Sea coast, under an intensified air campaign by the Saudi-led coalition.
The offensive came just after the rebels said they had captured more territory in the southwestern part of Yemen, taking a key town in a blow to the Saudi-backed forces as they advanced toward a strategic provincial capital in the region.
The Saudi-led coalition spokesman, Maj. Gen. Turki al-Malki, said 100 fighter jets were providing support to the forces of Yemen’s internationally recognized government fighting against the Houthis. He said the coalition has secured “air protection” of the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait and destroyed hundreds of Houthi targets as part of the ongoing campaign.
Yemen has been divided for most of the past century. Tribes, regions and religious groups each have their own agenda, so it has rarely been united. Even Ali Abdullah Saleh, the most stable ruler, had trouble from day one. After he was ousted, he allied with the Houthis to take Sanaa in 2014, then turned on them and was killed in 2017.
Tribes were always fighting and switching alliances, and Iran was well placed to back the Houthis. The UAE was involved from 2015 but had a different agenda, backing southern separatists. It pulled out after clashing with Saudi Arabia in late 2025.
Now the UAE is out, many tribes are fighting the Houthis, and Iran is under pressure, though it is still reportedly arming them.