Forces affiliated with Yemen’s internationally recognised government announced on Monday, 5 October 2026, the launch of what they described as a “strategic offensive” towards the capital, Sanaa. The announcement coincided with the launch of a broader military operation named “Yemen Dawn”, which the government said aims to restore state institutions and areas under the control of the Houthi group.
Military spokesman announces offensive on Sanaa
Brigadier-General Majed al-Nazili, military spokesman for the government forces, said the armed forces had begun carrying out a “strategic offensive operation on Sanaa”, adding that they were using advanced capabilities in the operation without disclosing the nature of those capabilities or the field axes covered by the advance towards the capital.
Al-Nazili’s announcement came after Rashad al-Alimi, chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council, announced the launch of Operation “Yemen Dawn”. He said its aims included restoring state institutions, taking control of Sanaa and ending Houthi control of the capital. Al-Alimi added that the operation relied on the armed forces and Yemeni military formations, alongside support from what he described as Yemen’s brothers and friends.
Al-Alimi had announced on Sunday, 4 October, the start of military operations to restore the remaining territory of the republic, extend the authority of the state and its institutions, and move from the preparation and readiness phase to the offensive phase. He instructed the armed forces, security agencies and military formations to carry out the assigned tasks in accordance with the approved plans.
Government forces conduct operations near Bab al-Mandab
The advance towards Sanaa coincided with military operations on the western coast and around the Bab al-Mandab Strait. Government forces said the Nation’s Shield Forces and Giants Brigades had carried out a wide-ranging operation, backed by air cover, against Houthi positions and movements in areas of Dhubab District, west of Taiz governorate.
Government forces added that they had regained control of Dhubab District and strategic positions surrounding the Bab al-Mandab Strait, advancing to positions that they said would enable them to cut supply lines and roads leading to the strait. Al-Nazili also announced that government forces had taken control of Dhubab Airport, cut the road linking Dhubab and Mokha, and brought it under fire control.
The military spokesman said his forces had succeeded in taking control of the Bab al-Mandab area, and that Houthi fighters had withdrawn from positions on the Red Sea coast following ground clashes accompanied by air cover. He called on hundreds of personnel whom he said were surrounded in the Dhubab area to surrender, claiming that some had left the area by boat after being encircled.
Government forces said the clashes had resulted in deaths and injuries among the Houthis and the destruction or disabling of military equipment, adding that their units were continuing to comb and secure the areas they had advanced into and cut supply routes. These battlefield claims and the reported scale of the losses could not be independently verified.
Coalition announces air support for government forces
Alongside the ground operations, the Saudi-led military coalition announced an air campaign against Houthi positions. The coalition’s spokesman, Major-General Turki al-Malki, said 100 fighter aircraft were taking part in providing support to the Yemeni government forces, and that the coalition had provided air cover for the Bab al-Mandab area and targeted positions belonging to the group.
Houthi-affiliated media reported air strikes in areas under the group’s control, including Sanaa. The escalation followed gains made by the Houthis in parts of western Yemen and their capture of strategic areas and positions, while the government announced the mobilisation of its forces in areas under its control and the launch of operations to retake lost territory.
Houthis have controlled Sanaa since 2014
The Houthi group has controlled Sanaa since 2014, when it advanced from its strongholds in northern Yemen and seized the capital and large areas of the country.
The latest military developments have renewed clashes on several fronts, with the government’s new operations focused on the western coast and around Bab al-Mandab, alongside the announcement of the offensive towards Sanaa.
