Saudi Arabia Weighs Yemen Ground Offensive to Retake Red Sea Coast From Houthis
Saudi Arabia is reportedly considering supporting a major Yemeni ground offensive to recapture the Red Sea coast from the Iran-backed Houthis as deadly attacks threaten shipping through the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
The potential operation would involve Yemeni government forces seeking to regain Houthi-controlled coastal territory and weaken the group’s ability to launch ballistic missiles and drones against commercial vessels. The plan has not yet been officially announced by Riyadh.
The reported deliberations follow Tuesday’s deadly Houthi missile attack on the Tihamah cargo ship in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Yemen’s Transport Ministry said the vessel was struck three times by ballistic missiles, sparking a fire aboard the ship.
Four crew members—three Pakistanis and one Indonesian—were reportedly killed. Two Yemeni rescuers also died, bringing the reported death toll to six, while several others were wounded. Eleven Pakistani and Indonesian sailors were rescued.
The Houthis later acknowledged attacking a vessel in the strait, claiming it was transporting Saudi military equipment. That allegation has not been independently confirmed.
A Saudi-backed offensive along Yemen’s western coast could target areas surrounding Hodeidah and other strategic positions used by the Houthis to threaten Red Sea shipping. Regaining the coastline could also help secure the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes.
Saudi Arabia has recently increased efforts to establish a regional maritime coalition amid escalating Houthi attacks on vessels, ports and energy infrastructure. However, a new ground campaign would risk reigniting large-scale fighting in Yemen and drawing Riyadh deeper into a direct confrontation with the Iran-aligned group.
