Yemen's internationally recognised government has announced military operations to retake territory held by the Houthi movement, the Aden-based Saba news agency reported on October 4.

The announcement follows the collapse of a 2022 truce in July and weeks of escalation between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia. The Houthis, which control Sana'a the country's capital, reported new Saudi strikes on Sana'a and Saada on October 3, after they struck Saudi Aramco oil depots and Riyadh Airport on the same day.

Rashad al-Alimi, chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council, the body that took over presidential powers from Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi in 2022, and commander-in-chief of the armed forces, made the announcement in a statement to Yemenis.

"I announce today the start of military operations to recapture the remaining lands of the republic and to extend state authority and its institutions over the entire national territory," he said.

Al-Alimi said he had ordered the armed forces and security services to begin carrying out their assigned missions. He described the move as a shift from preparation to what he called a liberation phase, after the government had exhausted chances for calm.

He accused the Houthis of answering de-escalation efforts with more mobilisation and of expanding attacks on civilians, national facilities, neighbouring countries and international shipping routes.

He said the operation was not directed against residents of Sanaa, Saada, Hodeidah, Amran, Dhamar, Ibb or any other governorate, nor against a sect or tribe.

He urged people in Houthi-held areas to keep away from military sites, gatherings and supply routes, and restated an amnesty for anyone who lays down arms. He ordered forces to protect civilians and their property.

The president also told the government to prepare a parallel plan so that state institutions resume work in each city and district as it is retaken. Priorities include paying state employees' salaries and overdue entitlements, repairing roads, electricity and water networks, and enabling displaced people to return.

Al-Alimi thanked Saudi Arabia for its support and said the council remained committed to the outcome of a dialogue among southern Yemeni factions sponsored by Riyadh. He called on international partners to back the armed forces and humanitarian and reconstruction programmes in areas returning to government control.

Yemenis had long awaited a phase in which "the state regains its land and institutions, citizens reclaim their rights, and weapons return to their rightful place under the authority of the law", he said.