Saudi Arabia Reportedly Plans Offensive Against Houthis to Reopen Red Sea Route

Saudi Arabia is preparing an offensive against the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, according to a Reuters report citing six people with knowledge of the plans. The operation could begin within weeks, led by Yemeni ground forces overseen by Riyadh and backed by Saudi air strikes. A main goal is to reverse last month’s Houthi advance along the coast, which gave the group control of the Bab el-Mandeb strait. Riyadh has reportedly decided it cannot restart peace talks while the Houthis hold that chokepoint.

Two Options and Possible Scale

Officials describe two paths: a narrow push around Bab el-Mandeb, or a wider campaign across Al-Bayda, Marib, Taiz and Al-Jawf. Depending on scale, more than 100,000 Yemeni troops could be mobilized. Timing estimates range from within a week to after the US midterms in November.

Why Bab el-Mandeb Matters

The strait is the Red Sea’s southern exit and has become a key shipping alternative since the Iran conflict effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz.

Allied Support and Challenges

The US is supplying intelligence and advisers, while Pakistan and Turkey have provided equipment, and France is sending defensive systems to protect Yanbu. Analysts warn that fractured Yemeni forces and threats to Saudi oil sites remain major risks.