RIYADH — Saudi Arabia is preparing a major military operation against Yemen's Houthi movement that could include a maritime campaign and a possible ground offensive in central Yemen, according to Yemeni sources. The reported preparations come as Riyadh seeks to protect its oil export routes through the southern Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, both of which have become increasingly important for the kingdom's energy exports.
Troop Repositioning and Maritime Preparations
According to Yemeni sources, Saudi forces have been withdrawing from eastern Yemen and concentrating troops for a possible advance into al-Bayda governorate. The Houthis took control of the central governorate during 2020 and 2021.
Alongside the reported troop movements, Saudi Arabia is organizing a maritime effort to improve the protection of commercial shipping from Houthi attacks in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait. The dual approach reflects Riyadh's focus on securing both land and maritime areas as threats to regional shipping continue.
Saudi Arabia Expands International Maritime Support
Saudi Arabia is also working to build broader international support for maritime security operations.
The Saudi Ministry of Defence said on Thursday that 14 countries, including Turkey, Pakistan, Egypt, Sudan and Djibouti, issued a joint statement supporting a multinational maritime defence coalition. Riyadh has also invited the United States and several European countries, including Germany, France, the United Kingdom and Italy, to participate in the initiative.
The European Union already operates the Aspides naval mission in the Red Sea, which is focused on protecting commercial shipping in the region.
Houthi Blockade and Recent Military Exchanges
The latest developments follow the Houthis' announcement on July 20 that they were imposing a blockade on Saudi ships. The Iran-aligned group, which controls Yemen's capital Sana'a and much of the country's Red Sea coastline, said the blockade would remain in place until Saudi Arabia ends what it describes as its blockade of Yemen.
The Houthis have denied reports that they plan to impose tolls on all commercial vessels and have said the dispute is linked to Yemen's future rather than being a direct extension of the wider regional conflict involving Iran.
Military exchanges have continued in recent weeks.
On July 25, Houthi forces said they had struck oil transport infrastructure inside Saudi Arabia linking oilfields in the Eastern Province to a Red Sea export hub. Saudi Arabia later carried out airstrikes on sites in the Houthi-controlled port of Hodeidah that the kingdom said were being used to threaten commercial shipping. Around the same period, a third Saudi commercial vessel was also attacked in the Red Sea.
Strategic Importance of the Red Sea
The security of Red Sea shipping has become increasingly important for Saudi Arabia's energy exports.
Before the current wider regional conflict, up to 80 percent of Saudi crude exports moved through the Strait of Hormuz. With that route affected, the kingdom has increasingly relied on the Red Sea. More than half of Saudi oil is now transported overland to export terminals at the port of Yanbu. Any disruption to shipping through the Red Sea would place additional pressure on Saudi Arabia's export capacity.
Diplomatic Efforts Continue
Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman held an urgent meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance on Wednesday to discuss possible next steps.
Saudi officials have said the kingdom intends to defend its territory and energy infrastructure while continuing to pursue diplomatic efforts to address broader disagreements between the United States and Iran.
Meanwhile, talks between Oman and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz are continuing. Iran has called for commercial shipping to use a northen route closer to its coastline. Any agreement that reopens the waterway could reduce pressure on maritime traffic through both the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea.
Situation Remains Unfolding
Saudi Arabia continues to reposition forces inside Yemen while expanding international support for maritime protection measures. At the same time, exchanges of strikes between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis continue, leaving the security situation in Yemen and key regional shipping routes under close watch.
——— End of Article ———
