Saudi Arabia is reportedly preparing for a military offensive against the Houthi forces in Yemen, focusing on both sea and potential land operations in central Yemen. Yemeni sources indicate that Saudi forces are withdrawing from the eastern region of Yemen, which may be a precursor to a land attack. Concurrently, Saudi Arabia is working to establish a naval coalition to safeguard shipping routes from Houthi attacks in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab strait.
On Thursday, the Saudi defense ministry announced that 14 countries, including Turkey, Pakistan, Egypt, Sudan, and Djibouti, have expressed support for a multinational maritime defense coalition. The Houthis, who control Yemen’s capital, Sana’a, and significant portions of the Red Sea coastline, declared a blockade against Saudi vessels on July 20, although they have denied plans to impose tolls on all ships.
The Houthis have stated that they will lift the blockade if Saudi Arabia ends its blockade on Yemen, framing the conflict as a matter of Yemen's future rather than a direct confrontation with Iran. Saudi Arabia has been involved in the Yemeni civil war since 2015, supporting the internationally recognized government against the Houthi rebels.
Riyadh has also sought assistance from the US and several European nations, including Germany, France, the UK, and Italy, to join the Red Sea coalition. The EU has an existing naval mission, Aspides, operating in the Red Sea, but it remains uncertain whether the Houthis are enforcing a general blockade or one specifically targeting Saudi Arabia.
On July 25, Houthi forces claimed to have targeted critical oil transport sites within Saudi Arabia that connect oilfields in the eastern province to a Red Sea export hub. If the Red Sea route is obstructed, alongside the existing blockade at the Strait of Hormuz, Saudi Arabia's oil exports could face significant limitations.
Recent Saudi airstrikes in Iraq resulted in at least 20 fatalities, retaliating against Iraqi militia attacks on Saudi oil facilities. US President Donald Trump stated that these joint strikes were conducted with the approval of the Iraqi government, a claim not confirmed by Baghdad.
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman held discussions with Trump and JD Vance on Wednesday to strategize the next steps. While Saudi Arabia aims to defend its interests, it has expressed a desire to avoid escalating tensions with Iran, advocating for diplomatic resolutions to US-Iran disagreements.
Troop movements in Yemen suggest preparations for an offensive on al-Bayda, a governorate captured by the Houthis in 2020-21. Recent weeks have seen increased fighting between the Houthis and Saudi forces, with the Houthis launching attacks on Saudi Aramco facilities and Saudi airstrikes targeting Houthi positions in Hodeidah. The ongoing conflict over Yemen has intensified as the status quo has deteriorated in recent months, with hopes for a resolution hinging on ongoing discussions between Oman and Iran regarding the Strait of Hormuz.