Saudis Prepare Major Offensive Against Houthis in Yemen's Red Sea Coast

The Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a vital artery for global trade and Saudi oil exports, has become a point of leverage for the Houthis and their Iranian backers.

Recent weeks have seen the Houthis take control of key areas on the southern Red Sea coast that control the strait, increasing missile and drone attacks against Saudi Arabia.

The Saudis responded with airstrikes against Houthi targets, but now plan a major offensive involving ground forces loyal to the internationally recognized government in Yemen, with Saudi air cover.

A U.S. official said plans for the operation were approved by Saudi leadership several days ago and involved a call between Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid Bin Salman and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday.

The U.S. is providing intelligence and targeting data to support the Saudis, but 'is not going to take kinetic action' in the operation for now, according to a U.S. official.