Al-Alimi: “Dawn of Yemen” Offensive to Continue Until Remaining Territory Is Liberated as Saudi Arabia Expands Humanitarian Aid

Yemeni president launches new Saudi-funded relief projects and urges Europe to designate the Houthis as a terrorist organization amid ongoing military operations to restore state authority.

Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Dr. Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi reaffirmed on Tuesday that Operation “Dawn of Yemen” would continue until the remaining territories are liberated, state institutions are restored, and government authority is re-established across the country.

His remarks came during a visit to the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), where he inaugurated a new package of humanitarian projects, and amid diplomatic efforts to increase international pressure on the Houthis.

In a separate telephone conversation with European Council President António Costa, Al-Alimi called on the European Union to translate the European Parliament’s position on designating the Houthis as a terrorist organization into a binding EU decision.

Saudi Arabia Expands Humanitarian Assistance

During Al-Alimi’s visit to KSrelief, the centre’s Supervisor General, Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, announced that Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had directed an expansion of humanitarian assistance across Yemen, particularly in displacement areas and communities facing the most urgent needs.

Al-Rabeeah said the directive coincided with the launch of Operation “Dawn of Yemen,” reflecting Saudi Arabia’s commitment to addressing the humanitarian consequences of the conflict.

Al-Alimi inaugurated nine humanitarian and relief projects covering emergency food assistance, shelter, drinking water, sanitation, and healthcare services.

The package includes urgent assistance for residents of Taiz, comprising food baskets, infant formula, essential medicines, and medical supplies.

The Yemeni president also launched 100 Saudi volunteer projects across Yemen, including the “Saudi Pulse” cardiac surgery program, the “Saudi Noor” blindness prevention initiative, and the “Saudi Hearing” cochlear implant and auditory rehabilitation program, alongside specialized surgeries, training, education, and economic empowerment activities.

According to Al-Rabeeah, Saudi Arabia has provided more than $29 billion in various forms of assistance to Yemen over the past decade.

KSrelief alone has implemented approximately 1,238 projects in Yemen worth $4.8 billion, making the country a major recipient of the centre’s humanitarian operations.

Al-Alimi Urges EU to Designate Houthis as Terrorist Organization

In his telephone conversation with European Council President António Costa, Al-Alimi urged EU member states to adopt the European Parliament’s position calling for the Houthis, including their political and military wings, leadership, and security apparatus, to be added to the EU terrorist list.

He warned that delaying such a decision would carry significant consequences as Houthi attacks against civilians, airports, critical infrastructure, and international shipping continue.

Al-Alimi argued that an EU designation could help restrict financial resources supporting these attacks while strengthening civilian protection, regional security, and European interests.

He also reaffirmed that Yemen’s armed forces, alongside various military formations and popular resistance units, would continue Operation “Dawn of Yemen” until the Houthi threat is eliminated and state authority is restored throughout the country.

Costa, for his part, reiterated the European Union’s support for Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council and internationally recognized government.

He also expressed the EU’s commitment to coordinating with the Yemeni government and humanitarian partners to address urgent needs, particularly in Taiz and other conflict-affected areas.

Taiz at the Center of Humanitarian Efforts

Taiz featured prominently in the Yemeni president’s discussions with Saudi and European officials.

Al-Alimi highlighted the worsening humanitarian situation in the city, citing the prolonged Houthi siege, restrictions on essential supplies, and the additional needs of more than 250,000 displaced people.

The newly announced Saudi assistance includes approximately 4.7 million liters of drinking water, 5,000 food baskets, 9,960 containers of infant formula, and essential medical supplies for displaced and vulnerable communities in Taiz.

According to figures announced during the visit, the new relief projects are expected to benefit approximately 3.435 million people, while the volunteer initiatives are projected to reach another 265,000 beneficiaries.

Background: Operation “Dawn of Yemen”

Al-Alimi announced the launch of Operation “Dawn of Yemen” in early October 2026 as part of a military campaign aimed at restoring government control over territories remaining outside state authority.

The offensive has involved multiple fronts, including Taiz, Marib, Al-Jawf, Saada, Hajjah, and the western coastal areas.

The Yemeni leadership has maintained that military advances must be accompanied by the restoration of state institutions, essential public services, and conditions allowing displaced families to return home.

Tuesday’s developments brought together three parallel tracks: the continuation of military operations, expanded Saudi humanitarian assistance, and renewed Yemeni diplomatic efforts to secure stronger European measures against the Houthis.

Taiz has emerged as a central focus of these efforts, linking the government’s military objectives with urgent humanitarian needs and international diplomatic engagement.