Saudi Arabia is reportedly gearing up for a major assault on the Iran-backed Houthis, as fears of a widening war in the Middle East heighten.
The Kingdom is preparing for a naval and possible ground invasion against the terror group in order to break open its stranglehold on vital shipping routes in the Red Sea.
Saudi forces have withdrawn from Eastern Yemen in what could be the beginning stages of a possible invasion in the country’s southern region, The Guardian reported.
Saudi Arabia could be gearing up for a ground invasion against the Houthis. REUTERS
The Sunni Gulf State has also established a maritime coalition to protect against renewed Houthi attacks in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, where the terror group has imposed a blockade on Saudi ships.
The Houthis, whose slogan is “God is great, Death to America, Death to Israel, A curse upon the Jews, Victory for Islam,” has attacked Saudi ships in the Red Sea — a critical shipping lane for Saudi Arabia — and also targeted oil infrastructure inside the country.
The waterway has become increasingly critical with the Strait of Hormuz ensnared in dueling Iranian and US embargos as a result of the ongoing war.
Tensions have risen between the two groups since the start of the Iran War. YAHYA ARHAB/EPA/Shutterstock
Over 80% of the Saudis’ crude oil exports were previously shipped through Hormuz, but now about half of that transits the Red Sea.
Losing access to Bab al-Mandab also poses a major shipping obstacle for the kingdom, as it would require them to divert ships to a path through Africa in order to reach Asia — turning a normally 16-day-trip into a 50-day trek.
Thirteen countries, including non-Houthi-occupied Yemen, have joined the naval alliance with the Saudis and issued a joint statement Thursday vowing to ensure freedom of navigation in Bab al-Mandab.
The Houthis have imposed a blockade on Saudi ships. REUTERS
The Saudis have also urged the US and Europe to join.
Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman met with US Vice President JD Vance Wednesday to discuss the country’s plans to fend off the terror group and to urge de-escalation in Iran.
Shipping in the Red Sea has not seen a stready flow since the Houthis began attacking ships navigating the waterway in November 2023 in support of Hamas’ war on Israel.
