President's Council Announces Campaign to Reclaim Houthi‑Held Areas

Rashad al‑Alimi, chairman of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council and commander‑in‑chief of the armed forces, announced from Riyadh that a comprehensive military campaign will be launched to retake all remaining Houthi‑controlled districts. Al‑Alimi emphasized that after weeks of preparation, the government is moving from a “readiness phase” to an “action phase.”

The council’s statement highlighted that the offensive will target the strongholds seized by the Houthis in Taiz and the adjacent Lahj governorate, where recent advances have threatened the stability of the region. Al‑Alimi warned that the conflict dynamics are shifting rapidly, with the Houthis gaining ground even as the government readies its forces for a decisive push.

The announcement follows a series of Houthi gains, including the capture of the Red Sea port city of Mocha on September 10 and the nearby Perim Island the following day, underscoring the urgency of the council’s new operation.