The Yemeni Armed Forces announced on Thursday the execution of 81 military operations against the Houthi group within the past 24 hours. These operations targeted Houthi sites, personnel, vehicles, and sources of threat across various fronts. The official spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces, Colonel Rakan Majid Abdullah Al-Nazeeli, stated in a release on Thursday, August 20, 2026, that the operations were conducted along the lines of contact. According to the statement, these actions resulted in the neutralization of several field commanders and operatives, as well as the destruction of Houthi equipment, vehicles, and threat sources. Al-Nazeeli explained that the operations are part of retaliatory measures against what he described as repeated Houthi aggressions targeting civilian assets and the resources of the Yemeni people. He accused the group of exacerbating civilian suffering by targeting vital facilities and halting oil exports via the port of Al-Dabbah, which he stated has led to a cessation of revenue crucial for government employee salaries. The military spokesperson further accused the Houthi militia of engaging in regional conflicts and implementing foreign agendas, which he believes has damaged several vital facilities, including Sana'a International Airport and Red Sea ports. He also alleged that the group has rejected initiatives for air travel to and from Sana'a Airport and has contributed to the damage of the ports of Hodeidah, As-Salif, and Ras Isa. He added that the Houthis' continued targeting of civilian areas, including the port of Mokha and the Al-Aradi anchorage in Bab el-Mandeb, as well as their attacks on ships carrying foodstuffs and residential areas and displaced persons' camps in Marib, represent a continuation of their policy to besiege and starve Yemenis. In contrast, Al-Nazeeli noted that the Yemeni government has issued over 350 permits for commercial vessels to enter the ports of Hodeidah, As-Salif, and Ras Isa since the beginning of 2026, emphasizing the government's commitment to alleviating the suffering of the population. The official spokesperson affirmed that the Yemeni Armed Forces remain committed to their duties of defending the nation's security and sovereignty and protecting its citizens. He highlighted that the operations conducted in recent days reflect an advancement in the forces' capability to execute simultaneous and coordinated operations across multiple units and fronts. He stated that these operations have, according to the Armed Forces' assessment, disrupted the Houthis and impaired their decision-making capacity, reiterating the state's ongoing efforts to restore its institutions, assert control over Yemeni territories, and end the suffering of its citizens. |
