Yemen Launches Operation

Yemen's leader, Rashad al-Alimi, announced the start of a new military operation to retake all territory held by the Houthis on Sunday. The announcement sets an ambitious goal for the embattled government, which recently lost swathes of the country's Red Sea coastline and areas around the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

The Houthis have made fresh gains on the ground, effectively encircling the government-held city of Taiz. The group cut a vital supply route linking Taiz with the government's interim capital Aden, according to security sources.

Al-Alimi called on all armed forces to begin carrying out their assigned missions, in accordance with approved plans, until the country is liberated from the grip of the Houthi militia. The statement came hours after the Houthis took control of the al-Safiya area, where they cut the main road and took control of the police station.

Fighting in and around Taiz has resulted in the deaths of more than 70 people, according to sources on both sides. The Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces have been patrolling the roads leading to the frontline of clashes with Iran-aligned Houthi fighters.

The Yemeni government has struggled to roll back the Houthi surge, even with the military support of Saudi Arabia. The Houthis said they had attacked oil infrastructure in the Saudi capital again on Sunday.

The military operation aims to retake the remaining territories of the republic and extend the authority of the state and its institutions across the entire national territory. The Saudi-led coalition has pledged support for the Yemeni offensive against the Iran-backed Houthis.

The situation in Yemen remains volatile, with ongoing fighting and a humanitarian crisis. The international community is watching the developments closely.