Yemeni government (Saudi-backed)
The internationally recognized government of Yemen, currently led by the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) and backed by a Saudi-led coalition, is the primary domestic adversary of the Iran-backed Houthi terror organization.
The Saudi-backed Yemeni government represents the sovereign authority of Yemen as recognized by the United Nations and the international community. Since the Houthi takeover of the capital, Sana'a, in 2014, the government has operated primarily from the temporary capital of Aden and from Riyadh. It is currently governed by the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), headed by Rashad al-Alimi, which was established to unify various anti-Houthi factions ranging from traditional military units to southern transitional forces.
For Israel and regional security, the stability and military efficacy of this government are critical. The Houthis, acting as a primary Iranian proxy, have utilized their control over northern Yemen to launch ballistic missiles and drones at Israeli territory and to disrupt global shipping in the Red Sea. A stronger Yemeni government serves as a necessary counterweight to Iranian entrenchment on the Arabian Peninsula. The government's forces, often referred to as the Yemeni Army, have spent years in a stalemate with Houthi insurgents, but recent escalations have forced a shift in strategy.
In October 2026, the government signaled a major departure from the previous years of defensive posturing. Following significant Houthi provocations and advances toward Aden, the government announced a massive offensive involving 100,000 troops. This campaign specifically targets the Red Sea coast and the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait—areas from which the Houthis have launched maritime attacks. The success of these operations is seen as vital for restoring freedom of navigation and reducing the long-range threat posed by the Iranian-led 'Axis of Resistance' to the State of Israel. The government remains heavily dependent on Saudi Arabian logistical, financial, and air support, making its fate closely tied to the broader Saudi-Iranian regional rivalry.