Saudi Arabia prepares for a major military offensive against the Houthis in central Yemen to secure oil export routes.
Saudi Arabia is preparing for a major military offensive against the Houthis to break the chokehold on its oil exports through the southern Red Sea. Yemeni sources indicate that Saudi forces are concentrating troops for a potential land and sea attack on the al-Bayda governorate. This move follows a period of increased tension where the Houthis implemented a blockade against Saudi ships, though they denied plans to impose tolls. To protect maritime trade, Riyadh is organizing a multinational naval coalition, supported by 14 states including Turkey and Pakistan. The Saudi defense ministry has also requested that the US and several European countries join the mission. The kingdom seeks to defend its oil industry and avoid a direct war with Iran, preferring to settle disputes with Tehran through diplomacy. Recent Saudi strikes in Iraq killed at least 20 people as a response to Iraqi militia attacks on Saudi oil facilities. During a meeting with President Trump and JD Vance, Prince Khalid bin Salman discussed the next steps for the region's defense.