Saudi Arabia is reportedly preparing for a large-scale military operation against the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, including naval activity in the Red Sea and a potential ground offensive in central Yemen, according to regional reports.
A new report today (Saturday) expands on the scope of Saudi Arabia's military preparations, detailing expanded naval activity and a potential large-scale ground offensive against the Iran-backed Houthi movement in Yemen. This follows a series of reports on Friday from multiple sources, including Israeli media and The Guardian, indicating that Riyadh was massing forces in the Al-Bayda governorate and forming a multinational maritime coalition.
The thread began with an unverified report on Friday claiming a ground invasion. Over the course of Friday, the reporting evolved: KAN (Israel's public broadcaster) cited a Saudi ground invasion plan; The Guardian, citing Yemeni and Saudi sources, confirmed force concentrations and a 14-nation coalition including Egypt and Turkey. By Friday evening, reports indicated Saudi forces were massing in Al-Bayda for a possible ground operation. The source quality moved from a single unverified claim to multiple corroborating reports from regional media and Western outlets.
The preparations come amid escalated Houthi attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure, including strikes on the Aramco refinery in Jazan and an end to the ceasefire with Saudi Arabia, as The Zioneer reported. The regional response has been broadening: The Zioneer earlier reported on a US-Israel-Gulf states joint operation in preparation, and Pakistan placing forces on alert for possible deployment. Saudi Arabia has also been working to establish an international Red Sea coalition, as reported last week.
The details of the operation remain unconfirmed, and the timeline for any potential action is unclear. It is not yet known whether Saudi Arabia plans to act unilaterally or within the framework of the multinational coalition.
9 developments
- DevelopingSaudi Arabia prepares 'violent wave' of strikes against Houthis, warns of Iranian attack plans
- DevelopingReuters: Pakistan prepares to join fighting against Houthis in Yemen as regional tensions escalate
- DevelopingReport: Saudi Arabia Deploys Loyalist Yemeni Forces Against Houthis in Marib, al-Sa'ala
- DevelopingYemen's Saudi-backed legitimate government forces prepare to resume fighting Houthis
Source and signal
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