Saudi Arabia Prepares Military Offensive Against Houthis in Yemen

Saudi Arabia is preparing for a major military offensive against the Iran-aligned Houthis in central Yemen, aiming to break their chokehold on oil exports through the Red Sea.

The move comes as tensions escalate between Riyadh and Houthi forces, which control much of Yemen's Red Sea coastline and have imposed a blockade on Saudi ships since July 20. The Houthis claim they will lift the blockade once Saudi Arabia lifts its own blockade on Yemen, framing the dispute as over the future of Yemen rather than directly involving Iran.

Saudi Arabia has been seen withdrawing forces from the east of Yemen in possible preparation for a land offensive, and Riyadh is also trying to organize a naval coalition to protect shipping from Houthi attacks in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab strait. The Saudi defense ministry announced that 14 countries had issued a joint statement supporting a multinational maritime defense coalition.

The dispute has already led to clashes between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia, with the Houthis launching attacks against Saudi Aramco facilities in recent weeks. If the Red Sea route is closed to Saudi shipping, along with the strait of Hormuz blockade on the other side of the Arabian peninsula, Saudi oil exports will be severely constrained.