Yemeni forces launch major offensive against Houthis near key strait

Pro-government forces in Yemen have launched a major offensive against the Iran-linked Houthi group near the strategic Bab al-Mandeb strait, Al Jazeera reported. On October 5, groups linked to the former Southern Transitional Council, including the Southern Giants Brigades, joined Yemeni government troops to begin a nationwide campaign. Al Jazeera said the pro-government forces had cut off the main road linking the Red Sea port by Monday afternoon. [1]

The military operations follow repeated Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia. France 24 reported that a new attack struck the international airport in Riyadh on Sunday, one day after a previous strike killed at least 12 people and injured more than 300. France 24 noted that the Saturday strike was the deadliest on Saudi soil in over a decade. CBS News also reported that Houthi rebels targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. [2][4]

As FTMQ News reported earlier, Saudi Arabia suspended civil aviation operations at the capital airport following the consecutive strikes, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly moved into secured bunker facilities. United States President Donald Trump previously stated that the American military might join Saudi Arabia in airstrikes against the Houthis following the initial airport attack. [11][12]

The Southern Giants Brigades is a pro-government militia in Yemen, whose fighters are predominantly tribesmen from southern Yemen, specifically from the Lahej, Abyan, and Dhale governorates. The ongoing civil war in the country originally erupted in 2014 when Houthi rebels seized territory. [8][10]