Saudi Arabia is preparing for a military attack on Iranian-backed Houthi militants in Yemen. This operation, expected to begin in the coming weeks, will involve a coastal advance to secure the maritime route of the Red Sea or attacks on multiple fronts.
Details of the operation and manpower
According to information from informed sources, this operation will be led by Yemeni forces under the supervision of Riyadh and will be accompanied by Saudi airstrikes. More than 100,000 Yemeni forces may participate in this attack, depending on the scale of the operation. Officials from regional countries and Western diplomats are among those aware of the details of this plan.
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Saudi Arabia has been involved in the Yemeni civil war since 2015 and leads an Arab coalition supporting the internationally recognized government. This government has been ousted by the Houthis, who have taken control of the capital, Sana'a. A ceasefire agreement was established in 2022 between the warring parties, but this year, the Houthis have launched missile and drone attacks on Saudi maritime and oil facilities, signaling a crisis in the Iran war.
Objectives and consequences of the attack
One of the key objectives of the planned Saudi attack is to reverse the rapid advances made by the Houthis last month, which led to the capture of the Bab al-Mandab Strait. This strait is recognized as a vital shipping route between the Mediterranean Sea and Asia and has gained more importance this year as an alternative to the Strait of Hormuz.
Saudi Arabia believes it cannot enter into new peace negotiations with the Houthis while the group controls the Bab al-Mandab Strait and thus holds global influence. The exact timing of the operation's start is unclear, with estimates ranging from one week to after the U.S. midterm elections in early November.
Additionally, Saudi Arabia is seeking to protect its oil facilities and infrastructure from Houthi missile and drone attacks. In this regard, Riyadh has requested several of its allies to assist in providing defense systems. Pakistan and Turkey are currently providing military support to Saudi Arabia, and these countries are looking to strengthen their air defenses.
This attack may serve as a new turning point in a region that has been embroiled in conflict since the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, and the subsequent U.S. and Israeli war against Iran. Given the current circumstances, Saudi Arabia is also relying on U.S. military and intelligence support.
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