Saudi-Led Coalition Plans Major Military Campaign to Retake Yemeni Coastline From Houthis
Saudi Arabia is preparing a large-scale military operation involving more than 100,000 troops primarily composed of Yemeni government forces with Saudi air support aimed at recapturing the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait from Houthi control. The offensive could begin within weeks and may involve simultaneous attacks across multiple provinces to reverse Houthi territorial gains along the Red Sea coast and restore critical shipping routes. Pakistan and Turkey are providing military equipment and advisers to support the operation, while the United States is supplying intelligence and military advisers.
The proposed operation represents an escalation in the yearslong struggle for control of Yemen's vital maritime chokepoints. Bab el-Mandeb has assumed heightened strategic importance due to regional tensions affecting alternative shipping corridors, making its control economically significant for global trade flows. The coalition effort involves coordination across multiple nations—Saudi Arabia providing air capabilities, Pakistan contributing equipment and personnel, and Turkey supplying drone assets—indicating a substantial commitment of resources and international support.
A successful Saudi-led offensive could restore shipping access and potentially stabilize regional maritime commerce, benefiting global supply chains and energy markets. However, escalation may trigger broader regional instability if rival powers intervene, potentially affecting civilian populations and international security. The outcome could influence shipping insurance costs, oil price stability, and the humanitarian situation in Yemen, with ripple effects for countries dependent on Red Sea trade routes.