- Saudi Arabia is planning an offensive against Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen, with options including a coastal push to secure the Red Sea shipping route or a multi-front assault, according to regional and Western officials.
- The operation is expected to be launched in the coming weeks and will be led by Yemeni forces on the ground, overseen by Riyadh, and supported by Saudi air strikes.
- Last month, Houthis advanced down the coast and seized control of the Bab el-Mandeb strait, prompting Saudi Arabia's planned offensive to reverse these gains.
- Saudi Arabia entered Yemen's civil war in 2015 at the head of an Arab coalition to support the internationally recognized government.
- A truce agreed in 2022 largely held until this year when the Houthis launched attacks on Saudi shipping and oil infrastructure.
- The Bab el-Mandeb strait is a key shipping route between the Mediterranean and Asia, gaining importance as an alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, which has been affected by the Iran conflict.
- Saudi Arabia's caution toward the Houthis has been the baseline since the truce period, as the Houthis have historically absorbed air campaigns without losing missile and drone capability.
- The planned offensive is seen as a necessary step for Saudi Arabia to regain control and prevent the Houthis from leveraging their position at Bab el-Mandeb in future negotiations.
Saudi Arabia is preparing a significant military offensive against Houthi militants in Yemen, with plans to either launch a coastal push or a broader multi-front assault.
The operation, expected to commence in the coming weeks, aims to reclaim the strategically vital Bab el-Mandeb strait, which the Houthis recently captured, enhancing their global leverage.6
According to officials, the offensive will be led by Yemeni forces under Saudi oversight, supported by air strikes from Riyadh.
More than 100,000 Yemeni troops could be mobilized for this operation, depending on its scale.
The Houthis have historically demonstrated resilience against air campaigns, maintaining their missile and drone capabilities despite previous assaults.
“Success greatly depends on the quality of the performance of the local forces,” noted Yemen analyst Mohammed Albasha, highlighting the challenges faced by anti-Houthi forces.
The U.S. is providing intelligence and military advisers to support Saudi operations, while Pakistan has deployed troops to assist in border defense and missile interception, though no decision has been made to engage directly in Yemen.
Riyadh's shift towards a more aggressive stance comes as it seeks to regain control over the Red Sea shipping route, crucial for global trade, amid fears of Houthi retaliation against Gulf energy infrastructure.
“Many anti-Houthi forces are still not organised or prepared for the kind of sustained offensive required,” Albasha added, emphasizing the need for effective coordination among local forces.
“The offensive could mobilize over 100,000 Yemeni troops, with Riyadh seeking to reverse Houthi control of Bab el-Mandeb, a key shipping route. Pakistan has deployed up to 40,000 troops to defend Saudi borders, while France will send defensive systems to protect Yanbu.”
