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From Amaliqa to Houthis, here are main armed groups fighting in Yemen

The Saudi-backed government is supported by several armed groups with varied histories, while the Iran-backed Houthis are largely unified under one command.

Adam Lucente

Oct 6, 2026

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In its effort to roll back Houthi gains around the Red Sea coast, the Saudi-backed Yemeni government is drawing on support from southern groups, former affiliates of the United Arab Emirates, Islamists and others to regain control of the full country.

The government announced on Sunday a major offensive aimed at retaking areas the Houthis seized along the Red Sea coast last month as well as the capital Sanaa, and said on Monday that it had retaken the Red Sea port city of Mokha as well as the area surrounding the Bab el-Mandeb strait, though the Houthis denied they had lost territory. 

The Houthis remain in control of most of western Yemen, including Red Sea coastal areas and the capital Sanaa, while government forces control the rest of the country. Fighting has been largely concentrated in the central Marib province and the southwestern Taiz province in recent weeks. The Associated Press reported on Monday that the Houthis are moving closer to encircling the government-held Taiz city. 

The government coalition is primarily understood to be a Saudi-backed conglomeration of groups created by the Presidential Leadership Council, various southern-based actors, affiliates of the pre-civil war government and fighters who lack a formal designation. 

National Shield Forces — The National Shield Forces were established in 2023 and report directly to Rashad Alimi, the head of the Yemeni Presidential Council that leads the government.

The forces are deployed throughout Yemen and remain heavily involved in the recent battles, taking part in this week’s........

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