Sanaa(Yemen), 05 October (H.S.): The Saudi-led coalition has vowed to restore Yemen's government and defeat the Houthi movement. Major General Turki al-Maliki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen, said the coalition would continue providing all possible support to Yemeni government forces to restore the government and end the Houthi coup.

In a post on X, al-Maliki said Yemen and Saudi Arabia had condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi vessels in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. He said Saudi Arabia would continue to protect its security and sovereignty, as well as regional and international security.

Notably, the renewed clashes are the most serious fighting to erupt since large-scale hostilities largely subsided following a United Nations-mediated truce in 2022.

Meanwhile, Rashad al-Alimi, chairman of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council, has announced the launch of major military operations to retake areas controlled by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels. Yemeni defence expert Ibrahim Jalal said the internationally recognised Yemeni government and its allies are facing an adversary that has developed into a highly formidable military force in recent years.

He said the Houthis had now made rapid advances in the Bab el-Mandeb area. They are seeking to consolidate their gains by capturing key mountainous positions and isolating the city of Taiz from Aden, Yemen's interim capital, and Lahij governorate. This would increase pressure on Aden and help the Houthis expand their territorial control towards Marib, the country's economic centre.

He said Marib is under less pressure for now, but there is a possibility that it will eventually become the next main focus.

Jalal said the Houthis' strength and territorial advances had forced the government and its allies to change their strategy. This is reflected in President Rashad al-Alimi's announcement of a major new military campaign.

Meanwhile, Yemen's internationally recognised government's Foreign Minister, Afrah al-Zouba, has called on the international community to provide greater support to defeat the Houthis.

In a post on X, al-Zouba said, We appeal to our brothers, friends and the international community to support the Yemeni people, their government and national institutions. They are confronting the terrorist Houthi militia. The scope of this militia and its crimes has extended beyond Yemen's borders. Stopping its aggression and ending its deceptive coup has now become a shared national, regional and international responsibility and interest, requiring a strong stance and effective support.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar