Yemen’s leader announces military operation to retake Houthi-held territory

Rashad al-Alimi, head of Yemen’s Saudi-backed Presidential Leadership Council, announced the start of military operations to retake Houthi-controlled territory and restore state authority across Yemen. He instructed armed forces and security agencies to carry out their tasks until the country is liberated from the Houthis, with all institutions on full alert. The operations followed targeted strikes that reportedly killed at least 700 Houthi rebels, according to government sources.