Saudi Arabia Preps Major Assault Against Houthi Rebels

The Middle East is on high alert as Saudi Arabia reportedly prepares for a major assault against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The Sunni Gulf State has been building up its naval and ground forces in anticipation of a possible invasion, with sources indicating that the aim is to break the Houthis' stranglehold on key shipping routes in the Red Sea.

The Houthis have imposed a blockade on Saudi ships, attacking vessels in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a critical waterway for Saudi crude oil exports. The blockade has resulted in a significant increase in shipping times, with journeys from the Middle East to Asia taking up to 50 days instead of the usual 16 days.

The Saudi-led maritime coalition, which includes 13 countries including non-Houthi-occupied Yemen, has vowed to ensure freedom of navigation in Bab al-Mandab. The Kingdom has also urged the US and Europe to join the alliance.

Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman met with US Vice President JD Vance last week to discuss the plans to counter the Houthi threat and to urge de-escalation in Iran.