Stories
Saudi, Yemeni Forces Plan Major Offensive Against Houthis; US Declines Direct Involvement
- •Saudi Arabia and Yemeni government forces are preparing a large-scale offensive to push back Iran-backed Houthis from the Red Sea coast, targeting their control over the Strait of Bab al-Mandeb.
- •The US has rejected Saudi requests to join the operation with airstrikes, though officials indicate this stance could change if the offensive encounters difficulties.
- •Houthis reported 94 Saudi airstrikes in the past 24 hours as Riyadh prepares for the military campaign.
- •The Bab al-Mandeb Strait is crucial for global trade and Saudi oil exports, giving Houthis significant leverage.
- •The US military is assisting Saudi forces with intelligence and targeting data, providing over 200 Houthi targets in the last two weeks, but is not engaging in direct combat.
Key Questions Answered
Saudi Arabia and forces belonging to Yemen's government are preparing a large-scale offensive targeting stretches of the Red Sea coast controlled by the Iran-backed Houthis. The operation specifically aims to push back the Houthis from the areas where they control the crucial Strait of Bab al-Mandeb.
While the United States has declined requests from Saudi leadership to join the military operation with direct airstrikes or kinetic action, it is providing extensive indirect assistance. The US military has been supplying the Saudis with vital intelligence, targeting data, and over 200 Houthi targets to strike.
The Bab al-Mandeb Strait serves as a vital artery for global trade and Saudi oil exports, making its control a powerful leverage point. Recent Houthi advances and territorial seizures along this Red Sea chokepoint have intensified threats to maritime security and escalated regional conflict.
