Saudi-Backed Yemeni Government Announces Military Operation to Retake All Houthi Territory

The internationally recognized Yemeni government backed by Saudi Arabia has officially announced a military operation to retake all territory controlled by the Houthi group. The declaration was made by Rashad al-Alimi, chairman of Yemen's Presidential Council, on Sunday (5/10/2026), hours after Houthi militants were reported to have cut a vital supply route to the besieged city of Taiz.

The move marks the latest escalation in a conflict that has lasted more than a decade. The Yemeni government, based in Aden, is seeking to reverse Houthi gains after losing most of the Red Sea coastline and the area around the Bab al-Mandab Strait—a strategic chokepoint for international shipping—to the Iran-backed group's lightning offensive.

In his statement, Al-Alimi stressed his commitment to extending state authority across the entire national territory. However, this ambitious target faces the reality on the ground: the Houthis have instead strengthened their position by seizing the al-Safiya area, cutting the main road, and encircling Taiz from the north, east, and west. The city of Taiz itself remains under government forces, but has long been one of the main fronts of the civil war.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said his group launched ballistic missiles and drones at Saudi Aramco energy company facilities in Riyadh and the eastern Khurais area, causing large fires. The attack, according to Saree, was retaliation for Saudi-led airstrikes and missile strikes that they claimed numbered 50 in the past 12 hours. Saudi Arabia has not officially confirmed the claim.

The tensions exacerbate pressure on Saudi oil exports, which are already disrupted by Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The Bab al-Mandab shipping lane, which connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden, is one of the vital routes for oil shipments from the Gulf to Europe and Asia. Disruption in the region could raise shipping insurance risk premiums and global logistics costs.

"We received information that the Houthis have taken control of the al-Safiya area, cut the main road, and seized the police station," said a police source in Taiz.

For Indonesia, the escalation in Yemen adds a layer of uncertainty amid global energy price volatility. As a crude oil importer, Indonesia is vulnerable to price spikes if the conflict disrupts supplies from the Middle East. In addition, about 40% of Indonesia's trade passes through sea routes that go through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. Prolonged tensions could force Indonesian cargo ships to detour via the Cape of Good Hope, adding shipping time and costs.

The Indonesian government needs to closely monitor the indirect impact on inflation and the trade balance. Rising logistics costs and oil prices could weigh on energy subsidies and widen the budget deficit. Economic diplomacy and diversification of energy import sources are becoming increasingly urgent to reduce vulnerability to geopolitical turmoil in the region.

Going forward, the success of the Yemeni government's military operation depends heavily on sustained Saudi military support and the ability to retake strategic territory. However, with the Houthis increasingly aggressive and retaliatory attacks on Saudi infrastructure, the risk of a wider proxy war between Riyadh and Tehran cannot be ignored. Will the international community, including Indonesia, push for a diplomatic solution before the conflict drags in more victims and disrupts global economic stability?