BREAKING | Saudi-backed PLC announces major offensive to retake territory from Ansarallah

Saudi-backed Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) chief Rashad al-Alimi announced the launch of a military operation to retake Ansarallah-held territory and restore its control across Yemen, saying the campaign will continue "until the country is liberated" under an approved military plan.

The announcement follows Reuters reports that Saudi Arabia was preparing a major offensive and comes amid intensified fighting after Ansarallah's recent gains along the Red Sea coast and around the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

According to Al Jazeera, Saudi-backed forces said they had carried out hundreds of operations against Ansarallah positions, while the Saudi-led coalition announced additional strikes in Taiz.

The Ansarallah-led Yemeni Armed Forces, for its part, said it launched ballistic missiles and drones at Saudi Aramco facilities in Riyadh and Khurais in its latest statement.