Yemen’s Alimi announces military operations to retake remaining territory

The Presidential Leadership Council chairman said the government had moved from preparation to action.

Hilal Times Editorial DeskOctober 04, 2026, 04:18 PMUpdated: October 04, 2026, 08:33 PM

Yemen’s Alimi announces military operations to retake remaining territory

Rashad al-Alimi, chairman of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, announced on Sunday the start of military operations to retake the rest of Yemen’s territory, saying the government had moved from the preparation phase to "the phase of action to restore the state." In an address to Yemenis, he said his government had "exhausted all opportunities for de-escalation" with the Houthis.

In his televised address on Sunday, al-Alimi said the decision was taken in line with constitutional responsibilities and decisions of the National Defense Council, stressing that civilians living in Houthi-controlled areas are not the target of the operations. He urged civilians to stay away from military positions, gathering points and Houthi supply routes, said amnesty would be granted under announced procedures to those who lay down their arms, and instructed the army to refrain from revenge and reprisals.

The Yemeni army said it carried out 97 targeting operations in Taiz and Lahij provinces on the day the offensive was announced, neutralizing 260 Houthi fighters. As of 13:00, when the address was broadcast, the Houthis had not commented on al-Alimi's announcement.

Alimi in Moscow in May 2025 (archive)