Forces loyal to Yemen's internationally recognised government have begun a counteroffensive against the Houthis, with officials promising to recapture Sanaa.
Saudi Arabia-backed government forces said they targeted Houthi positions with rocket and drone strikes as “intensive battles” were ongoing with ground troops in Taiz, Bayda, and Jawf, a province seen as a key gateway to the capital, Sanaa.
Yemen’s Deputy Defence Minister Major General Samir al-Sabri told state television the government had decided to “retake Sanaa”.
Majid al-Nuzaili, a spokesman for the government-aligned forces, said the campaign would “liberate Yemen from the grip” of the Ansar Allah group, otherwise known as the Houthis. “and restore Sanaa as a capital for all Yemenis”.
Pro-government forces said they started a ground offensive toward the al-Labanat mountains in al-Jawf, carried out rocket strikes on Yatma and advanced toward Dhi Na’im district in al-Bayda.
