According to sources, Saudi Arabia is planning to launch an attack on Yemen's Houthi rebels, with the goal of restoring navigation in the Red Sea. The attack is expected to take place in the coming weeks, with Yemeni forces backed by Saudi airstrikes leading the operation on the ground. The sources, who include regional and Western officials, say that the attack may target Houthi positions on the coast or in various parts of Yemen.
The planned attack is aimed at stopping the Houthis' recent gains, including their capture of the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a strategic waterway that connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. The Houthis' control of the strait has given them significant global influence. Saudi Arabia has concluded that it cannot engage in new peace talks with the Houthis while they maintain control of the strait.
Sources say that Saudi Arabia is considering two possible options for the attack: a limited operation targeting the area around the Bab al-Mandab Strait or a broader operation involving simultaneous attacks on multiple fronts in Yemen. The operation could involve up to 100,000 Yemeni troops, depending on its scope.
The United States, Saudi Arabia's closest ally, has been providing intelligence and military advice to support Saudi operations in Yemen. However, the US has not provided direct military support, such as airstrikes. Other countries, including Pakistan and Turkey, have also provided military assistance to Saudi Arabia.
The planned attack has raised concerns about the potential for a wider conflict in the region. The Houthis have been launching drone and missile attacks on Saudi Arabia, and the kingdom is seeking to protect its oil facilities and infrastructure. Pakistan has deployed troops to Saudi Arabia to help defend its borders and intercept drones and missiles.
Diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict have so far been unsuccessful. Western diplomats say that Saudi Arabia has lost confidence in the peace process due to the Houthis' continued control of the Bab al-Mandab Strait. The conflict in Yemen has been ongoing since 2015, when a Saudi-led coalition intervened to support the government against the Houthis.
The international community is watching the developments closely, with concerns about the humanitarian impact of a new escalation in the conflict. The conflict in Yemen has resulted in significant human suffering, with thousands of civilians killed or displaced.
Key points
- The planned attack aims to restore navigation in the Red Sea.
- The Houthis' control of the Bab al-Mandab Strait has given them significant global influence.
- The US has provided intelligence and military advice to support Saudi operations in Yemen.
