Yemeni government forces announced on Sunday, 4 October 2026, the start of military operations they said were aimed at restoring state institutions and extending their authority over areas controlled by Ansar Allah (the Houthis). The Saudi-led coalition confirmed that it would continue providing operational support to government forces across all fronts.
The official spokesman for the Yemeni armed forces, Colonel Majid al-Nazili, said what he described as the “Battle for Liberation” aimed to restore state territory, extend national sovereignty and end Houthi control over areas under their authority. He added that government forces were committed to protecting civilians’ lives and shielding them from harm in all areas and governorates.
Al-Nazili called on Houthi fighters to lay down their arms and return home, saying the door would remain open to those who stopped fighting. He also called on Yemenis to support the government forces, saying their units were advancing towards the group’s positions, without specifying the areas where the advance had taken place.
Al-Alimi announces start of military operations
The armed forces’ announcement came after a speech by Presidential Leadership Council Chairman and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Rashad al-Alimi, in which he announced the start of military operations to restore the remaining territory of the republic and extend the authority of the state and its institutions across the country. Al-Alimi said the decision had been taken on the basis of decisions by the National Defence Council and after the necessary procedures and measures had been completed.
Al-Alimi said the authorities had moved from preparation and readiness to the operational phase after what he described as the exhaustion of opportunities for de-escalation. He added that he had instructed the armed forces, security agencies and military formations to begin carrying out their duties in line with approved plans, accusing the Houthis of continuing to mobilise and escalate, and of threatening civilians, facilities, neighbouring countries and international waterways.
The chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council stressed that the operations were not targeting civilians in Sana’a, Saada, Hudaydah, Amran, Dhamar or Ibb, and were not directed against any sect or tribe. He called on residents of areas under Houthi control to stay away from military sites and gatherings and supply routes, and not to allow their sons to be drawn into the fighting.
Al-Alimi reaffirmed the authorities’ commitment to what he described as a safe return and the announced amnesty for anyone who abandoned their weapons and stopped fighting alongside the group. He also instructed government forces, security forces, military formations and popular resistance groups to comply with the law and protect civilians and property, stressing that revenge, retaliation and attacks on innocent people would be prohibited during the operations.
Instructions to protect civilians and administer recovered areas
Al-Alimi announced that he had instructed the government to prepare a programme of work to coincide with the military movements, with state institutions to begin exercising their responsibilities in areas that came under the control of government forces.
He said priorities included resuming the payment of state employees’ salaries and addressing outstanding entitlements, launching a recovery and reconstruction programme, repairing roads, electricity and water networks and damaged facilities, and creating conditions for displaced people to return and economic activity to resume.
Government forces announce results of field strikes
The coalition’s joint forces command confirmed that it would continue providing what it described as “full operational support” to the Yemeni armed forces and standing by the government until state institutions were restored. The coalition forces’ spokesman, Major General Turki al-Maliki, said the support also aimed to end Houthi threats to maritime navigation in the southern Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
Al-Maliki accused the Houthis of imposing an internal blockade, displacing residents from their cities and villages, looting resources and putting them towards the war effort, as well as recruiting children and harming the social fabric.
He also said that Saudi Arabia would continue taking measures to protect its security and sovereignty, after the coalition announced in previous days that it had intercepted ballistic missiles and drones that it said the Houthis had launched towards Saudi territory.
Meanwhile, the Houthis had announced a ballistic missile and drone operation targeting facilities belonging to Aramco in Riyadh, saying it was carried out in response to strikes targeting Sana’a and areas under their control. The group threatened to continue escalating in response to any military operations against it.
Coalition and Houthis exchange escalation and accusations
The military developments come amid growing concern over the humanitarian consequences. Yemeni Prime Minister Shaia Mohsen al-Zindani said that rising waves of displacement and humanitarian needs required urgent action by the United Nations and the international community. During a meeting with UN official John Ging in Aden, he called for funding, faster aid deliveries and strengthened health, nutrition, protection and shelter sectors.
Al-Alimi announced that the military, security and civilian institutions had been placed on full alert as fighting continued on several fronts. He stressed that assessing the results of the operations would not be limited to areas recovered by government forces, but would also include the restoration of security and services and the creation of conditions for displaced families to return to their homes.
