Aden, Oct. 4 -- Yemeni President Rashad al-Alimi on Sunday announced the start of a major military operation aimed at retaking territory controlled by the Iran-backed Houthi militia.
"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," al-Alimi said in a televised address, escalating the nation's long-running civil war.
Regional and Western officials had previously reported that Saudi Arabia and its Yemeni allies were preparing an offensive, with Saudi forces expected to provide air support while Yemeni forces conduct ground operations.
The US is already providing intelligence to support Saudi...