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Houthis Report 94 Saudi Strikes as Riyadh Plans Red Sea Assault
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Firstpost•03-10-2026, 00:45
Houthis Report 94 Saudi Strikes as Riyadh Plans Red Sea Assault
- •Yemen's Houthis claim Saudi forces launched 94 airstrikes in 24 hours across areas including Sanaa, Hodeidah, Saada, and Hajjah, intensifying an air campaign.
- •Saudi Arabia is reportedly planning a military campaign to weaken the Iran-backed Houthis and regain control of territory, particularly the strategic Bab el-Mandeb strait.
- •Potential Saudi military options include a coastal operation around Hodeidah or a broader offensive involving over 100,000 Yemeni troops supported by Saudi air power.
- •The planned offensive aims to reverse recent Houthi gains, including their control of the Bab el-Mandeb strait, a critical maritime chokepoint.
- •Saudi officials are considering a narrowly focused attack on Bab el-Mandeb or a broader multi-front offensive across several Yemeni governorates.
Key Questions Answered
Saudi Arabia carried out numerous airstrikes and prepared for a military assault to reverse recent Houthi gains along the coast, secure the strategic Bab el-Mandeb strait, and break the group's chokehold over Red Sea shipping routes.
Saudi officials are considering options that include a narrowly focused coastal operation around Hodeidah or Bab el-Mandeb, as well as a broader offensive involving synchronized multi-front attacks supported by more than 100,000 Yemeni troops and Saudi air power.
Bab el-Mandeb is the southern exit passage of the Red Sea and a vital maritime chokepoint between the Mediterranean and Asia, which gained even greater importance after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
