Saudi Arabia is preparing for a potentially large-scale military offensive in Yemen aimed at reversing recent territorial advances by Houthi forces, with more than 100,000 Yemeni government troops potentially involved in the operation, Reuters has reported.
Citing Gulf and Yemeni officials as well as Western diplomats, Reuters said Riyadh is considering a major campaign following the Houthis’ seizure last month of strategically important territory around the Red Sea.
The number of Yemeni government forces mobilised could exceed 100,000 depending on the eventual scope of the operation. Saudi Arabia would oversee the campaign and provide air support through strikes against Houthi positions.
The United States and other Western governments currently providing Riyadh with intelligence and material assistance are not expected to participate directly in combat operations.
Two main military options are reportedly under consideration. One would concentrate forces on retaking coastal territory surrounding the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the strategically important waterway connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean.
The alternative would involve a considerably wider operation, with coordinated offensives across several fronts, including Al-Bayda, Marib, Taiz and Al-Jawf.
Saudi Arabia entered Yemen’s civil war militarily in 2015 in support of the internationally recognised government after Houthi forces had driven it from the capital, Sanaa, the previous year. Large-scale hostilities subsequently declined following a UN-brokered truce in 2022.
Fighting intensified again last month, with the Houthis accusing Saudi Arabia of maintaining an unlawful “siege” against Yemen. Houthi forces have since taken control of the strategically significant port of Mokha and Perim Island in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
The Houthis said on Friday that Saudi forces had conducted 94 strikes against areas under their control during the preceding 24 hours.
Omar al-Bukhaiti, a spokesman for the Houthi-controlled government in Sanaa, accused Saudi Arabia of intentionally attacking civilian infrastructure, including schools and healthcare facilities.
Houthi forces had previously launched drones and missiles towards Saudi Arabia, including attacks aimed at energy infrastructure. The group, however, denied responsibility for an alleged attack on a power station in Medina and described Saudi Arabia’s accusation as a “lie.”
The renewed escalation in Yemen is unfolding alongside the continuing conflict between the United States and Iran. The Strait of Hormuz remains closed to most maritime traffic, while negotiations between Washington and Tehran aimed at ending the conflict remain stalled.
Several Saudi partners have increased their military assistance to the kingdom. Britain has agreed to supply air-to-air refuelling support for Saudi aircraft, while France is deploying troops, radar equipment and air-defence systems to assist in protecting the Red Sea oil centre of Yanbu.
Pakistan has also deployed between 30,000 and 40,000 personnel to Saudi Arabia to assist with border defence and the interception of incoming missiles and drones, Reuters reported, citing a Pakistani official.
Islamabad has additionally supplied artillery, drones, air-defence equipment and counter-drone systems. Pakistani military advisers are also working alongside Saudi personnel involved in supporting Yemeni government forces.
Pakistan has not, however, made a decision to deploy its troops inside Yemen for direct combat operations.
