Operation Dawn of Yemen
Military offensive during the Yemeni civil war
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On 5 October 2026, the Yemeni Armed Forces, under the leadership of the internationally-recognized Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) government of the Republic of Yemen, backed by Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan launched a large scale counter-offensive against the Houthi rebels of the Supreme Political Council (SPC), aimed at retaking areas of the country under their control, including the capital Sanaa.[2][3]
| Operation Dawn of Yemen عملية "فجر اليمن" | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Yemeni civil war (2014–present) and 2026 Yemen offensives | |||||||
Military situation in Yemen | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 Yemen Saudi ArabiaDefensive only  Turkey Pakistan |
 HouthisSupported by  Iran | ||||||
| Units involved | |||||||
| Southern Giants Brigades |
Houthis | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| Unknown |
| ||||||
Background
See also: 2026 Yemen offensives
Following a UN-backed ceasefire in 2022 and the dissolution of the Southern Transitional Council following the 2025-26 South Yemen Campaign, fighting between the Yemeni PLC government and Houthi-led SPC ceased until July 2026, when fighting erupted once again as part of a broader escalation in regional tensions.[4] On 3 September, the Houthis launched Operation God Is Stronger In Might and More Severe In Punishment, making rapid advances over western Yemen and claiming control over Yemen's entire Red Sea coast, including Perim Island and al-Omari Camp by 11 September after Yemeni government forces had withdrawn from the area.[5][6] On 15 September Mohammed bin Salman traveled to Cairo to meet with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi where the two reaffirmed they would cooperate "to ensuring freedom and security of maritime navigation” in the Red Sea and Bab Al-Mandab.[7]
Offensive
October 5
On 5 October, officials of the PLC announced the start of Operation Dawn of Yemen, aimed at countering the recent Houthi offensive and ending Houthi control of Yemen;[8] initial objectives were stated to be the retaking of strategic positions along the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the beginning of a strategic advance towards the Houthi capital of Sanaa. Around 100 Saudi aircraft were supporting the operation, striking hundreds of Houthi targets in the opening day.[9]
The PLC claimed it recaptured much of the district of Dhubab and its airport, severed the road from Dhubab to Mokha, and have reestablished control over the Bab el-Mandeb Strait;[3] conflicting reports between the Yemeni Defense Ministry and other PLC officials over whether Mokha had been taken began to arise,[10][11] while Houthi forces denied that any gains were made.[12]
Houthi forces claimed that the PLC-held city of Taiz had been encircled, while PLC officials denied the claim.[10] Houthi forces also claimed responsibility the same day for attacks on King Khalid International Airport, Abha International Airport, King Khalid Air Base, and the Petro Rabigh Refinery.[10]
Activation of Mecca Agreement
Also on 5 October, representatives from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey, which included all three nations’ defense and foreign ministers, held an emergency meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and announced that deterrence measures under the protocol of the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement would be implemented,[13] involving a rapid deployment of forces from all three nations to the region in order to counter Houthi forces.
October 6
On 6 October, PLC forces continued to report attacks against Houthi forces around the Bab al-Mandeb Strait area; strikes were reported in Marib and PLC units continued resistance against the encirclement of Taiz, advancing in the mountains of Hayfan overlooking Taiz.[14][15] The Southern Giants Brigade reportedly repelled a Houthi advance in the Dhubab district while clashes where reported in Wazi'iyah near Taiz.[16][14] Additional Houthi strikes were reported at Aden International Airport, Abha Airport, King Abdullah International and Najran Regional Airports, while Saudi forces reported the interception of a Houthi missile aimed at Khamis Mushait.[14][16]
October 7
On 7 October a Houthi small boat attacked a Chinese cargo ship and again struck Abha Airport killing 2 and injuring 28.[17][18] The New York Times reported that the Pakistani air-force had joined the Saudi air-force in an aerial campaign against the Houthis, which the Pakistani ministry of defense denied.[19] It was also reported on 7 October that the Syrian government studied the prospect of sending troops to assist Saudi Arabia in the Operation following pressure from the United States, however, ultimately decided against a deployment.[20][21][22]
October 8
On 8 October the PLC announced that they had finished "the clearing of the Bab al-Mandab Strait" and Perim island restoring government control to the highlands overlooking international shipping routes, while fighting continued near Taiz with the goal of breaking the encirclement.[23]
October 9
On 9 October Saudi Arabia announced its first "large scale" airstrikes, targeting over 100 Houthi military positions mostly around Saada and along the Red Sea coast.[24]