Pakistan, Oct. 5 -- The leader of Yemen's Saudi-backed government announced the beginning of a major military operation against the Houthis on Sunday, aimed at seizing the territory under their control.

Regional and western officials had previously told Reuters that Saudi Arabia and its Yemeni allies were planning to launch an assault on the Houthis, with the Saudis leading aerial combat and Yemeni forces fighting on the ground.

"Today, I announce the start of military operations to retake the remaining territory of the republic and extend the authority of the state and its institutions across the entire national territory," Yemeni President Rashad al-Alimi said in a televised address.

Saudi Arabia entered neighbouring Yemen's civil wa...