Yemen Presidential Council President Rashad Al-Alimi Announces Military Operations to Reclaim State Territories

The Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council has ordered military forces to begin operations aimed at reclaiming remaining territories from Houthi control, shifting official strategy from defense to active state recovery. Alarabiya.net reported that council chief Rashad al-Alimi announced the offensive on Sunday, October 4, 2026, after exhausting avenues for a negotiated settlement.

Military Directives Issued Across Multiple Fronts

The escalation follows weeks of localized combat across contested governorates. According to reporting from Alarabiya.net, al-Alimi stated that government forces had achieved recent territorial gains in Al-Bayda, Al-Jawf, Taiz, and Al-Hudaydah throughout September. The president directed the armed forces to execute tasks designed to restore state institutions, marking the official transition from the general mobilization phase declared on September 26 to direct field operations.

Al-Alimi Urges Civilians to Avoid Military Installations

Addressing residents living in regions currently under Houthi administration, al-Alimi insisted that the mobilization is not directed against the populations or tribal structures of Sanaa, Al-Hudaydah, or Saada. Alarabiya.net cited his direct appeal for civilians to steer clear of military installations, weapons caches, and Houthi assembly points to minimize collateral risk.

The government pledged to initiate immediate stabilization, recovery, and reconstruction programs in every municipality successfully wrested back under central authority.

Presidential Initiative Offers Amnesty to Combatants

The presidential initiative maintains an open door for combatants willing to abandon the insurgency. Shorouknews.com reported that the safe return decree, initially introduced on September 25, offers legal amnesty and the reinstatement of employment rights for former military and security personnel who lay down their arms.

In his address, al-Alimi expressed gratitude toward Saudi Arabia for supporting the Yemeni state during its extended crisis, characterizing Riyadh as a fundamental partner in national security and regional stability. Alarabiya.net noted his parallel appeal urging the international community and neighboring states to provide diplomatic and material backing as the campaign enters its active phase.

What Remains Unresolved in the Conflict

While the presidential council has signaled the definitive end of the peace-first strategy, the immediate timeline and operational scope for major urban engagements remain undisclosed. It is not yet clear how retaliatory actions by Houthi forces will affect supply routes or whether regional mediation channels will attempt to revive talks before full-scale urban combat commences.

More on this story: Yemen declares general mobilization as combat with Houthi fighters spikes