Sultan al-Arada: Reclaiming Sanaa is the ultimate goal for Yemen government forces

Sultan al-Arada, a member of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council and Governor of Marib, stated that reclaiming the capital, Sanaa, remains the “ultimate goal” for government-aligned forces. These remarks come amid significant shifts in the battlefield following increased clashes between government forces and Houthi rebels since early July 2026.

Al-Arada addressed the recent withdrawal of government forces from the West Coast, describing the developments as “painful and regrettable” but asserting that the retreat is a temporary measure to reorganize troops. He emphasized that these setbacks will not divert the primary objective of restoring the state and ending militia control.

Recent Houthi advances have seen the group seize control of several districts in the Hodeidah and Taiz governorates, as well as islands in the Red Sea, including Mayun Island in the Bab al-Mandab Strait. This movement grants the Houthis effective control over a critical global maritime passage. Conversely, government forces have reported progress in the Al-Jawf governorate, approaching the city of Al-Hazm.