A renewed offensive against the Houthis will deepen Yemen's humanitarian crisis

Yemen's internationally recognised government announced an offensive against Houthi-held territory on 4 October. By 5 October, government forces were fighting near Bab el-Mandeb; military and government sources reported substantial Saudi-led air support. The campaign's territorial outcome remains unsettled. The government's stated objective is to recapture all Houthi-controlled territory; that is its declared aim, not a claim that it has achieved nationwide control. Yemeni officials later said government-aligned forces, backed by Saudi air power, retook Dhubab, Bab and Hadeid near Bab el-Mandeb, and AP reported witnesses seeing forces enter those towns. AP's report does not establish that Mokha or most of the coastline had been recaptured; the Houthis disputed the extent of the government's gains, and their maritime-strike capability remains a concern. Reuters verified footage showing government fighters driving vehicles over opponents, including unarmed men; the force involved says it is investigating.

Yemen's Transport Ministry said Houthi ballistic missiles and explosive-laden drones targeted Aden's international airport on 7 October; one missile landed near its runway shortly before a flight was due to arrive. The same Reuters report says attacks on airports in Riyadh and Abha killed three people in total. Those deaths occurred at the Saudi airports, not at Aden.