Saudi Arabia is preparing a major military operation against Houthi forces in Yemen as Riyadh seeks to regain control of territory overlooking the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, one of the world’s most important maritime routes.
The planned offensive could begin within weeks and would involve more than 100,000 Yemeni ground forces supported by Saudi air power, according to people familiar with the preparations. The objective is to push Houthi forces away from strategic positions and restore safer navigation through the Red Sea.
The Bab el-Mandeb is a narrow waterway connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. It is a critical link between shipping routes serving Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Any prolonged disruption can force commercial vessels to take longer routes around the southern tip of Africa, adding significant time and cost to international trade.
Rising pressure around the Red Sea
The latest Saudi plans follow a series of military developments that have increased pressure on Riyadh and its regional partners.
Houthi forces have expanded their presence around areas overlooking the maritime corridor, giving them greater ability to threaten shipping and challenge Saudi-backed forces operating in Yemen.
Saudi Arabia has sought to avoid a wider regional confrontation while maintaining access to the Red Sea. However, the growing strength of Houthi forces has increased pressure on the kingdom to respond.
The planned operation would depend heavily on Yemeni forces fighting on the ground. Those forces are made up of different groups with varying political and military interests, creating questions about coordination and long-term control of territory.
International support
The United States is providing intelligence assistance to Saudi Arabia, while other international partners are expected to focus mainly on defensive support.
Pakistan has supplied military equipment and advisers, while France is expected to provide defensive systems to Saudi Arabia.
The international involvement reflects the importance of protecting maritime routes while limiting the risk of a wider conflict.
Saudi Arabia’s challenge will be balancing military objectives with the possibility of retaliation against its territory or other regional interests.
Global trade at stake
“The priority so far has been to defend the positions on the ground and stabilize the front,” said…”
Shipping companies and energy markets are closely watching developments.
The Red Sea is particularly important for container shipping, energy transportation and other commercial traffic moving between Asia and Europe. If vessels are forced to avoid the route for an extended period, freight costs and delivery times could rise.
Higher shipping costs can eventually affect businesses and consumers because transportation expenses are often incorporated into the price of imported goods.
For oil and fuel markets, the situation carries additional importance because the region connects several major energy-producing countries with international customers.
What happens next
The Saudi operation has not yet begun, and its final scale and timing could change.
Diplomatic efforts, military developments and the ability of anti-Houthi forces to coordinate will influence the next stage of the crisis.
For global markets, however, the immediate concern is whether fighting around the Bab el-Mandeb intensifies enough to further restrict commercial shipping.
A sustained disruption could create another major challenge for international trade at a time when energy and transportation markets are already facing significant pressure.
