Saudi Arabia plans strikes on Houthis to unblock Red Sea - Media
Photo: Houthi militants in Yemen (Getty Images)
Saudi Arabia has decided to halt the advance of Houthi militants, whose success has blocked key straits in the Red Sea. There are plans to act against Iranian proxies together with Yemen, according to Reuters.
Saudis plan offensive against Houthis
Saudi Arabia is planning an offensive against Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen. This could involve either a coastal operation to secure maritime routes in the Red Sea or a broader multi-front offensive, regional and Western officials told Reuters.
According to six people familiar with the preparations, the operation, expected to begin in the coming weeks, will be led by Yemeni ground forces under Riyadh’s supervision and with support from the Saudi air force.
Saudi allies such as the US and Europe are unlikely to play a direct role in combat operations, anonymous sources stated. They will limit their involvement to providing intelligence and defensive assistance.
Saudi Arabia's plans
The key objective of the planned offensive is to regain control of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which was captured by the Houthis, the publication writes.
According to representatives from Gulf countries and Yemen, the Saudis are considering two possible attack scenarios:
- A narrowly focused attack on the area around Bab el-Mandeb;
- A broader offensive that would also include other attacks on multiple fronts around Yemen, in the governorates of Al-Bayda, Marib, Taiz, and Al-Jawf.
According to all officials, more than 100,000 Yemeni troops could be mobilized for the offensive, depending on the scale.
A Saudi-led offensive against the Houthis would mark a new point of escalation in the region, the publication believes.
One of the kingdom's key concerns in launching a new offensive in Yemen is protecting its oil facilities and other infrastructure from Houthi drone and missile attacks.
Will allies help?
According to regional officials, Riyadh has approached several allies for assistance with defense systems.
According to a Pakistani official, Pakistan has deployed between 30,000 and 40,000 troops to protect the kingdom's land borders and intercept drones and missiles. Although Islamabad has not made any decision to send troops to Yemen for combat operations, the official said.
Meanwhile, France announced that it would send defense systems and troops to Saudi Arabia to protect the port city of Yanbu on the Red Sea.
The Houthis claimed to have attacked "sensitive" targets in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, with missiles and drones. Prior to this, flames and a large column of smoke were spotted near the city's main airport.
Furthermore, on September 11, the Houthis reached the strategic island of Perim. It is located in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which is key to global oil trade.
