**Yemen’s Government Forces Launch Offensive Against Houthis Amid Renewed Shelling of Marib**
*Published on August 8, 2026*
Yemen's government forces have initiated a series of attacks on Houthi positions across various front lines, following a resurgence of shelling in Marib city by the Houthi group. This escalation has raised concerns about a potential return to widespread conflict after a period of relative calm.
The military offensive, which took place on Saturday, was characterized by a government spokesman as a necessary measure to protect unarmed civilians. The attacks targeted the Houthis’ capabilities and forces along multiple axes and the line of contact, indicating a coordinated effort to regain control over contested areas.
This military action comes in the wake of Houthi missile and drone strikes that occurred on Thursday, resulting in the deaths of at least 30 government soldiers and injuring 15 others in the provinces of Hadramout and Marib. The situation has intensified with reports of renewed shelling in Marib city, which is currently home to over 2 million of Yemen’s nearly 5 million internally displaced persons. The Health Ministry of Yemen reported that the recent attacks led to the deaths of two civilians and injuries to 14 more.
Deputy Information Minister Mohammed Gezan stated that the Houthis had resumed their shelling of civilian neighborhoods in Marib, further complicating the humanitarian situation in the region. The Houthis contend that their operations are aimed at military targets, specifically a camp located on the outskirts of Marib city. Conversely, the Yemeni army reported successfully repelling a separate Houthi attack on Friday evening without sustaining casualties.
Yousef Mawry, a correspondent for Al Jazeera reporting from Sanaa, noted that this marked the first instance in months where government forces have publicly announced a counteroffensive. The shift in strategy appears to be a response to the Houthis’ increasing preemptive strikes on military positions in both Marib and Hadramout. The Houthis have suggested that their actions are motivated by suspicions of government forces collaborating with Saudi Arabia in planning a broader offensive against Houthi-held territories.
Elisabeth Kendall, a Middle East expert and president of Girton College at Cambridge, expressed concerns about the potential for Yemen to revert to full-scale conflict. She emphasized that the civil war in Yemen has never truly ended, as the 2022 truce has since expired. Kendall pointed to recent troop movements and clashes as indicators of escalating tensions, highlighting that the warning signs of renewed conflict are evident.
Despite these challenges, Kendall noted a shift in the dynamics of government forces, suggesting that they are now more unified compared to previous years. This change could prove advantageous for the Yemeni government, particularly if Saudi Arabia decides to intervene decisively in the conflict.
In response to the escalating violence, the United Nations has called for de-escalation and condemned both the Houthi missile attacks and the group's ongoing strikes on oil tankers in the Red Sea. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, as the humanitarian crisis in Yemen deepens amid the ongoing conflict.
As the situation develops, the implications for both the Yemeni population and regional stability remain significant. The renewed hostilities underscore the fragile nature of peace in Yemen and the urgent need for diplomatic efforts to address the underlying issues fueling the conflict.