Saudi Arabia Launches Major Offensive Against Houthis in Yemen

Saudi Arabia has launched a significant military offensive against the Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen. The operation, dubbed Operation Dawn of Yemen, involved over 100 fighter jets striking hundreds of targets. Saudi-backed forces claim to have retaken the strategic Red Sea port city of Mokha, which lies along a key oil shipping route. The Houthis, however, deny any territorial losses.

The offensive comes after the Houthis captured Mokha and nearby islands in the Bab el-Mandeb strait just weeks prior. This strait is crucial for Saudi oil exports, especially since the Strait of Hormuz to the east is blocked by Iran. The Houthis have been targeting Saudi tankers in the strait, citing Saudi Arabia's blockade of Houthi-controlled areas as the reason. Saudi Arabia maintains the blockade is necessary to prevent Iran from supplying weapons to the Houthis.

The port city of Mokha has seen severe humanitarian impact, with most residents having fled and hospitals shutting down. The United Nations reports that at least 180,000 people have been displaced due to the recent fighting. Aid workers describe dire conditions, including women giving birth in the open and people sleeping under trees. The Houthis have also encircled the city of Taiz, cutting off supply routes and causing a crisis of aid and fuel.

In response to Houthi missile and drone attacks on Saudi oil sites, airports, and airbases, Saudi Arabia has received military support from Britain, France, Pakistan, and Turkey. These countries are providing rapid military assistance under the Mecca Agreement, a defense pact signed over the summer. The U.S. has not agreed to Saudi Arabia's request for refueling support but is sharing intelligence on the Houthis.