Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces launched Operation Dawn of Yemen in early October 2026, explicitly aiming to restore state control, retake territory from Houthi forces, and liberate the capital Sanaa. The Saudi-led coalition has provided intensive air support, including around 100 fighter jets striking Houthi positions across multiple fronts, while U.S. advisers supply real-time intelligence and targeting assistance from Saudi territory. Government units have reported gains along the Red Sea coast near Bab el-Mandeb, with parallel operations referenced near Sanaa and in provinces such as Taiz and Marib. Houthis have responded with missile and drone strikes on Saudi airports and energy sites, sustaining cross-border escalation. No confirmed Saudi ground troop entries into Sanaa have occurred amid the fighting, though the offensive’s stated objectives directly tie to the capital’s status. Resolution hinges on verifiable advances by coalition-aligned forces versus Houthi defenses in the coming weeks.