Yemens Government Launches Major Military Campaign Against Houthis, Claims 181 Operations in 24 Hours

Sana, August 17: Yemen’s government forces announced on Sunday that they conducted 181 military operations against Houthi rebels in areas under their control over the past 24 hours. This marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between the two sides.

Major General Majid Al-Nujaili, a spokesperson for the government forces, stated in a message on X that these operations utilized drones, artillery, and rocket launchers. The targets included Houthi positions, weapon depots, military vehicles, and other facilities allegedly used for attacks.

According to Al-Nujaili, dozens of Houthi members were killed or injured during these operations, and military equipment was destroyed across seven provinces. However, he did not provide detailed casualty figures.

He mentioned that these operations were launched in response to recent attacks by Houthi rebels on government troops, civilian infrastructure, economic establishments, and ports.

Meanwhile, the Houthi group claimed responsibility for an attack on Saturday evening targeting the government-controlled capital of Marib city in the oil-rich Marib province. Pro-government media reported that the Houthis fired three ballistic missiles toward residential areas of the city.

State-run Saba TV reported that there was no immediate information on casualties or damage from the attack. However, local residents informed Xinhua that they heard several loud explosions in different parts of the city at the time of the missile strikes.

In recent weeks, the Houthis have intensified missile and drone attacks against areas controlled by the Yemeni government and targets within neighboring Saudi Arabia, a key supporter of the Yemeni government.

The Houthi group announced a maritime blockade on Saudi ships on July 20, claiming to target Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea and energy facilities within Saudi Arabia.

The conflict in Yemen has been ongoing since late 2014 when the Houthis seized large parts of northern Yemen, including the capital, Sana. This led to a military intervention by a Saudi-led coalition in 2015 to support the Yemeni government.