Saudi Arabia is preparing a major counteroffensive against Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, aiming to retake the strategically vital Bab el-Mandeb Strait, but the U.S. has declined to join the operation directly, according to multiple sources.
Saudi Plan and U.S. Stance
Saudi Arabia’s plan, detailed in reports from Axios and AsiaOne, involves a coordinated effort to push the Houthis away from the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical chokepoint for global trade. The operation, which could begin within weeks, is being led by Yemeni forces under Saudi oversight, with air strikes and ground support from Riyadh. However, the U.S. has repeatedly declined to participate in direct combat, with a senior official stating, is not going to take kinetic action for now.
This decision follows a previous rejection of a Saudi request for U.S. airstrikes, as reported by Axios, and reflects broader concerns about entanglement in Yemen’s conflict.
The U.S. has instead focused on providing intelligence and military advice, including targeting information, to Saudi forces, according to a Western diplomat cited in AsiaOne. The U.S. stance highlights the complex balancing act between supporting Gulf allies and avoiding further escalation in the Middle East.
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid Bin Salman called U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday to brief him on the planned operation and request U.S. support, according to Axios. A U.S. official said the Saudis have been planning the operation for weeks, with plans approved by Saudi leadership several days earlier. The operation will include ground forces loyal to the internationally recognized Yemeni government, supported by Saudi air cover.
The U.S. has provided over 200 Houthi targets to Saudi forces in the past two weeks, significantly increasing pressure on the Houthis, according to a U.S. official. This intelligence support is part of a broader effort to assist Saudi Arabia without direct combat involvement. Meanwhile, Pakistan has deployed 30,000–40,000 troops inside Saudi Arabia to help defend against Houthi missile and drone attacks, as reported by Times of India.
Military Strategy and Allies
The Saudi-led operation faces logistical and strategic challenges, including the fragmented nature of Yemeni opposition forces. Sources indicate that the Houthis, bolstered by Iranian support, have strengthened their hold on key coastal areas, threatening global shipping and Saudi oil infrastructure. To counter this, Saudi Arabia is considering two options: a focused assault on the Bab el-Mandeb Strait or a broader multi-front campaign across Yemen’s southern regions. Former U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Michael Ratney, noted that the operation is likely to be “fairly limited” to restore maritime traffic rather than seek a full-scale victory, as reported by AsiaOne.
Pakistan’s military advisers are working alongside Saudi counterparts to support Yemeni forces, while Turkish drones previously acquired by Riyadh have been deployed over Yemen, officials stated. However, Islamabad has not decided to send troops into Yemen for combat operations, according to a U.S. official. The Saudi-led coalition also relies on Yemeni forces, which remain divided and underprepared for sustained combat, as noted by an analyst in Axios.
Challenges and Uncertainties
Experts caution that the success of the offensive depends on the unity and capability of Yemeni forces, which remain divided and underprepared for sustained combat. Yemen analyst Mohammed Albasha told Axios that many anti-Houthi forces are still not organised or prepared for the kind of sustained offensive required to push back a disciplined Houthi military force.
The Houthis, meanwhile, have intensified missile and drone attacks on Saudi targets, complicating the operation’s timeline and objectives.
The Bab el-Mandeb Strait’s strategic importance cannot be overstated. As a key route for oil and global trade, its control has become a focal point for regional and international powers. The Houthis’ recent advances have raised fears of economic disruption, with Saudi officials also concerned about protecting their oil infrastructure, which has been targeted by Houthi attacks in the past.
The Houthis’ control over the Red Sea coast includes sites such as Mocha and the island of Perim, according to PeoplesWorld. These areas, which the Houthis have administered for most of the Yemeni Civil War, now grant them leverage over maritime traffic through the strait. The group’s offensive pushed back Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces, according to PeoplesWorld. This advancement has heightened tensions, with Saudi Arabia emphasizing the need to secure the strait to protect trade routes.
Regional Implications
The operation is part of a broader regional power struggle, with the Houthis acting as an ally for Iran’s influence in the Middle East. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has emphasized the need to restore stability, but the conflict’s outcomes could reshape alliances and security dynamics.
As the situation evolves, the international community remains watchful. The U.S. has not ruled out future involvement if the operation encounters setbacks, but for now, the focus remains on diplomatic and strategic coordination. The stakes are high, with the Bab el-Mandeb Strait’s control having far-reaching implications for global trade, regional security, and the balance of power in the Middle East.