Saudi Arabia Prepares Major Military Offensive Against Yemen's Houthis

Saudi Arabia is preparing for a major military offensive against Yemen's Houthis by sea and possibly by land in central Yemen, according to The Guardian. This comes as Riyadh seeks to protect oil exports through the southern Red Sea.

The Saudi forces have reportedly begun withdrawing from eastern Yemen, which could be preparations for a ground operation. Additionally, Riyadh is seeking to organize a multinational naval coalition to protect shipping from Houthi attacks in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandab Strait.

The troop movements involve concentrating forces for a possible attack on al-Bayda, a governorate in central southern Yemen that the Houthis captured in 2020 and 2021. Saudi Arabia is also seeking to organize a multinational maritime defense coalition.