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Saudi Arabia is preparing for a major military operation in Yemen to challenge Houthi control of the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait, a key Red Sea shipping route, Reuters reported, citing regional and Western officials.
The operation could begin within weeks, with Saudi-backed Yemeni forces expected to lead a ground offensive while Saudi Arabia provides air support.
Officials said Riyadh is considering two possible plans: a limited operation around the Bab al-Mandab Strait, or a broader offensive targeting several provinces, including Al Bayda, Marib, Taiz and Al Jawf.
More than 100,000 Yemeni troops could potentially take part, depending on the scale of the operation, the officials said.
The Houthis reportedly advanced along Yemen’s Red Sea coast last month and took control of the strategically important strait. Regaining the area is expected to be a key objective of the Saudi campaign.
Bab al-Mandab is the southern gateway to the Red Sea and a vital trade route linking the Mediterranean with Asia. Its importance has increased this year as the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed, making alternative routes for fuel and other goods more significant.
Reuters sources said the Houthis’ control of Bab al-Mandab has given the group significant strategic and international leverage and made it more difficult for Saudi Arabia to resume peace talks with them.
The United States is providing intelligence support to the Saudi operation, while several regional and European countries are offering mainly defensive military assistance, officials said. They are not expected to take part directly in the fighting.
The exact timing of the operation has not been decided. Some officials expect it within a week, while others said it could be delayed until after the US midterm elections in November.
Michael Ratney, a former US ambassador to Saudi Arabia, said he expects the operation to be limited, with Riyadh likely seeking to retake coastal areas around Bab al-Mandab and restore normal shipping rather than completely defeat the Houthis.
Saudi Arabia previously led a coalition military campaign against the Houthis in Yemen in 2015. A ceasefire between the warring sides took effect in 2022 and largely held until this year, when the conflict deteriorated again after the Houthis began missile and drone attacks targeting Saudi vessels and oil infrastructure amid the Iran war.
Source: Reuters
