Yemeni government forces launched a military offensive named “Yemen Dawn” on October 5, 2026, recapturing the port city of Mocha and areas near the Bab el-Mandeb strait.
The operation marks a turn in the country’s conflict, which dates back to the Houthi movement’s series of wars with the government beginning in 2004, their expansion following the 2011 unrest, and the eventual takeover of Sanaa in 2014. The government’s armed forces stated they had moved past preparation into direct action, declaring that the state had granted peace every possible opportunity before the militias responded with further mobilization and threats against national infrastructure and neighboring countries.
Troops Advance on Mocha and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait
Government troops advanced across multiple axes in Taiz province, seizing the port of Mocha and the coastal district of Dhu Bab. Military spokesman Colonel Majed al-Nuzaili announced via social media that the forces had cut the road between Dhu Bab and Mocha, establishing fire control over the route, and that the Dhu Bab airport was under government control. The offensive aimed to secure the Bab el-Mandeb strait, a maritime corridor linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.
The military spokesperson reported that 1,122 targeting operations across several fronts resulted in the neutralization of 1,747 fighters and the destruction of 364 vehicles. In contrast, Houthi officials denied these territorial losses. Reports from the ground indicated conflicting claims, with some witnesses noting heavy fighting on the main road connecting Taiz to Aden, while Houthi-affiliated outlets claimed their forces had managed to expel government-loyal elements from the Al-Ma’afir and Al-Mawasit districts in Taiz province.
Coalition Jets Launch Air Campaign
The Saudi-led coalition backing the Yemeni government stepped up its air campaign in parallel with the ground offensive. Coalition spokesman Maj. Gen. Turki al-Maliki announced that 100 fighter jets took part in the initial waves, destroying 324 high-value targets.
The coalition emphasized that the operations were designed to move from managing risk to changing the conditions that produce it, citing years of conflict and recent threats to the Two Holy Mosques and international shipping. In response, Houthi forces launched retaliatory strikes directed at targets across the border. The group also warned civil aviation companies to steer clear of airspace over Saudi Arabia outside of Mecca and Medina.
Major General Abdulrahman al-Lahji stated, Any prisoner who lays down his weapon becomes our responsibility, and protecting him is a religious and moral duty.
President Issues Directives to Forces
President al-Alimi issued strict directives to the armed forces, security apparatus, and popular resistance to adhere to the law and protect civilians, their property, and their dignity. He stressed that the mission is not merely to reclaim land, but to restore the state.
Commander of the “Nation Shield” forces, Major General Abdulrahman al-Lahji, stated that the operation aims to protect people and end the assault on their lives, emphasizing that the campaign is not directed against the people of any specific region.
The Presidential Leadership Council has reaffirmed its commitment to the state's role in correcting the past and protecting the future of its citizens, declaring that the military and security institutions remain in a state of full mobilization until the mission is completed.
