Leaders of a Saudi-led coalition in Yemen announced on Monday that a broad air campaign, involving 100 fighter jets, is currently underway against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels along the Red Sea coastline and in the capital, Sana’a.
Operation Dawn of Yemen
The coalition spokesperson, Maj Gen Turki al-Maliki, stated that the jets participating in Operation Dawn of Yemen are providing crucial support to Yemen’s internationally recognized government. He emphasized that the coalition has secured "air protection" of the strategic Bab al-Mandab strait and has destroyed hundreds of Houthi targets.
Ground Offensive and Houthi Retreat
According to al-Maliki, hundreds of Houthi fighters have been besieged in the Dhubab district, including the airport near the Bab al-Mandab strait, with some attempting to flee across the Red Sea in boats. On the same day, southern Yemeni forces known as the Giants Brigades, allied with the government, launched a ground offensive against the rebels on the eastern flank of the coastal areas recently seized by the Houthis. The government forces also reported cutting the road between Mocha and Dhubab, with claims that Houthi forces are deserting the recently captured city of Mocha as residents remain indoors.
Claims and Counterclaims
While previous Saudi-led statements about territorial gains have often been partial, footage has surfaced supporting claims of Houthi retreats along the seashore. The president of the Saudi-backed government, Rashad al-Alimi, had promised a new offensive on Sunday, stating, "Today we are embarking on a decisive phase in the history of our nation."
