Yemeni Army Launches Major Offensive Against Houthis
Yemeni government forces have launched a large-scale operation against Houthi rebels in response to their attacks in the Marib area. Meanwhile, incidents involving ships occurred in the Strait of Hormuz and off the coast of Oman, threatening global energy supplies.
Yemeni government forces, loyal to the internationally recognized government, have begun a large-scale military operation against the Houthis. According to the army command, the counteroffensive is being conducted on several front sections under unified leadership and is a direct response to the relentless shelling of government positions and civilians. The resumption of active hostilities was triggered by massive Houthi attacks using drones and missile systems in the Marib area, where Saudi-backed forces are deployed. Yemeni army representatives stressed that they will no longer tolerate provocations from pro-Iranian groups and warned of readiness to deliver harsh retaliatory strikes against any further aggressive steps. In parallel with ground battles, the situation on key regional trade routes has sharply deteriorated. The UAE authorities stated that Iran attacked with a missile a tanker belonging to the national oil company ADNOC as it passed through the Strait of Hormuz. Fortunately, there were no casualties. A few hours later, 18 nautical miles east of the city of Khasab, another vessel was hit by an unknown projectile, causing a fire on board that the crew managed to extinguish. According to UKMTO, the ship and crew are safe. These events once again threaten the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of global liquefied natural gas and oil supplies pass.