And Saudi Arabia and other war fighters that are allies of Yemen’s internationally recognised government are preparing for a military offensive on the Houthi movement, according to recent reports.
Riyadh is considering military action aimed at driving the Houthis away from strategic areas along Yemen’s Red Sea coastline.
As for the time and scale of the raid that might happen it is still to be decided. Saudi Arabia is considering different options: a limited operation along the coast or a larger operation being carried out on multiple fronts.
The campaign would largely rely on Yemeni ground forces, and Saudi Arabia could serve as air support. Reports suggest more than 100,000 Yemeni fighters may be involved in preparations for the operation.
But the coordination of the anti-Houthi forces remains a challenge because Yemen’s forces are still divided after the country’s long war.
One of the most strategic areas in the plans is the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The narrow waterway connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and is crucial to global commercial shipping.
Any military escalation around the strait would have consequences beyond Yemen for maritime security and international trade.
The United States is not expected to participate directly in the planned offensive. Washington is providing support, including intelligence and other assistance tied to Saudi military activity. That would help the US remain in the game of the region without sending American troops directly into conflict with the Houthis.
The developments come at a time of continued tension between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi movement. The Iran-backed group has held much of western Yemen and had previously targeted shipping and vessels in the Red Sea.
The activities of the group around the main maritime route have been a security threat since the time of the bombing.
It’s also connected to more general tensions between Iran and its regional partners. The Houthis have close ties with Tehran and Saudi Arabia has been working with regional partners to address security threats linked to the group.
Earlier reports indicated that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had sought US military assistance against the Houthis. However, Washington did not agree to assist directly with strikes or combat operations, reports said.
The latest preparations would be one of the most significant developments in Yemen’s decades-old conflict. A Saudi-backed offensive in the Yemen region would also put more pressure on the Houthis and might alter the military situation along the Red Sea coast.
Still, the details of the proposed operation remain subject to change. The timing, number of troops involved and areas targeted could depend on developments in Yemen and decisions made by Saudi and Yemeni authorities.
Any major escalation near Bab el-Mandeb would also be closely watched because of the strait’s importance to global shipping and regional security.
