Saudi Arabia and allied Yemeni government forces launched an offensive on Monday against the Iranian-backed Houthi militia to retake territory along the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a strategic chokepoint at the southern tip of the Red Sea. The Yemeni government declared a full-blown war against the Houthis to reclaim land lost over the past 12 years, with Colonel Majid al-Nuzaili announcing the Bab al-Mandab campaign via social media.
A Saudi military coalition spokesman, Maj. General Turki al-Maliki, stated that 100 warplanes were participating in a new operation called Yemen's Dawn, conducting airstrikes to support Yemeni government troops in the Bab al-Mandab area. The United States is providing military support to Saudi Arabia during the offensive, according to current and former U.S. officials who spoke anonymously.
The escalation deepens Middle Eastern conflict as the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran enters its eighth month with no end in sight. The Yemeni government relies heavily on Saudi financial and military backing, making the offensive a significant regional development.
Source: New York Times Top Stories · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing