Rashad al-Alimi, president of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council, announced military operations on October 4 to retake territory controlled by the Houthis. He said the campaign aimed to restore state authority across Yemen as fighting continued on several fronts.

In an address to Yemenis, al-Alimi said he had ordered the armed forces, security services and other military formations to carry out approved plans. He described the announcement as a shift from preparation to action after opportunities to reduce tensions had been exhausted.

Al-Alimi said the decision rested on his constitutional responsibilities and decisions by the National Defense Council. He accused the Houthis of answering efforts to reduce tensions with further mobilization and attacks affecting civilians, neighbouring countries and international waterways.

Warnings to civilians and an amnesty offer

Al-Alimi said the operations were not directed against residents of Houthi-controlled areas, any province, religious sect or tribe. He urged civilians to avoid military sites and supply routes and keep children from being drawn into fighting.

He instructed troops to follow the law and protect civilians and their property. He also rejected revenge attacks, saying their task was to restore state institutions as well as recover territory.

The offer of safe return and amnesty would remain open, he said. It would apply to those who lay down their weapons, stop fighting alongside the Houthis and return to their families under the announced procedures.

Fighting continues around Taiz

AFP reporting cited by the news agency Sada News said Houthi forces had taken al-Safiya, an area in Taiz province. Government military sources and witnesses said the advance cut the main road between Taiz and Aden after days of fighting.

A Taiz police source said authorities had been informed that the Houthis controlled al-Safiya and its police station. Witnesses described heavy fighting along the road.

Government forces separately reported carrying out 97 targeting operations against Houthi reinforcements and movements. Military spokesperson Colonel Majed al-Nuzaili said they destroyed or damaged 44 vehicles and military transport or supply assets. The reported results could not be independently verified.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said his forces had repelled an advance east of al-Jawf province. He described the attacking forces as Saudi and reported casualties and destroyed vehicles. Those results also could not be independently verified.

Plans to restore services

Al-Alimi said he had directed the government to prepare a programme alongside the military campaign. State institutions would resume work in each area as it was retaken.

He listed priorities including restarting public employees' salaries, addressing unpaid wages and repairing roads, electricity, water systems and damaged facilities. The programme would also seek to enable displaced people to return and economic activity to resume.

Al-Alimi thanked Saudi Arabia and the coalition supporting Yemen's government for their backing. He appealed for international support to end threats to shipping lanes and assist humanitarian relief and reconstruction.