Symbolic imageYemen's government announces offensive as Houthis encircle Taiz
Yemen's Saudi-backed government announced on Sunday an operation to retake all Houthi-held territory. Hours earlier, the Houthis had cut Taiz's supply route.
Rashad al-Alimi, head of the Presidential Leadership Council, announced the operation in a televised address on Sunday, 4 October, ordering the army to act until the country is freed from the Houthis. Saudi coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki pledged "full operational support". According to one current and one former US official cited by the New York Times, more than 200 US analysts are helping Saudi Arabia select targets.
Taiz cut off
The Houthis cut the road linking Taiz to Aden, according to four security sources cited by the Guardian. Sources from both sides told AFP that more than 70 people died in Taiz province within a day: government sources reported 34 troops killed, Houthi sources 39 fighters.
Houthis claim Aramco strikes
Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree said missiles and drones hit Aramco sites in Riyadh and Khurais, causing large fires. Saudi Arabia did not immediately confirm.
Other opinions
Iran's state-affiliated Tehran Times leads with Houthi gains, citing a local official that fighters entered At Turbah unopposed after Saudi-led forces withdrew.