Forces of the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen have recaptured several key areas around Bab el-Mandeb Strait from Iran-backed Houthi rebels, Yemeni officials said Monday.
U.S. The Saudi-led coalition spokesman, Maj. Gen.
The government push came as part of a major offensive launched early Monday (October 5, 2026) under air cover by a Saudi military coalition. Turki al-Malki, said 100 fighter jets were providing support to the forces of Yemen’s internationally recognized government fighting against the Houthis. Because they were not authorized to speak to reporters, they also captured the towns of Bab and Hadeid, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Because they weren’t authorised to speak to reporters, the U.S. has provided support to Saudi Arabia in its ongoing campaign against the Houthis, according to a regional official and a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The officials said forces allied with the internationally recognised government have retaken the crucial town of Dhubab just north of the strait. Witnesses said they saw government tanks and forces entering the towns. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters that it was expected that the Saudi-backed government in Yemen would hit back at the rebels to reclaim territory. Asked if the Saudi-led coalition coordinated the action with the United States, Rubio said that Saudi Arabia and the US have a defence agreement but wouldn’t offer more details. The Yemeni government was ousted from some of its territory by a Houthi campaign and the Saudis have come under attack, and “they have a right to defend themselves,” Mr. Rubio said. U.S. support included intelligence sharing, target identification and planning for the offensive, said the officials. The offensive came just after the rebels said they had captured more territory in the southwestern part of Yemen, taking a key town in a blow to the Saudi-backed forces as they advanced toward a strategic provincial capital in the region. He said the coalition has secured “air protection” of the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait and destroyed hundreds of Houthi targets as part of the ongoing campaign.
