Saudi and Yemeni Forces Attack Houthis to Retake Red Sea Coast
Saudi and Yemeni forces have launched a Houthi red sea offensive aimed at retaking control of the Red Sea coast from the Houthis, who are backed by Iran. The reported goal is to wrest control of the Bab al-Mandab Strait from Houthi hands. The Houthi red sea offensive underscores the strategic importance of the strait, a key shipping lane for global energy supplies.
Key Facts
- Saudi and Yemeni forces attacked Houthis to retake control of the Red Sea coast.
- The Houthi red sea offensive targets the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
- The Houthis are backed by Iran.
The Story
What is the Bab al-Mandab Strait and why does it matter?
The Bab al-Mandab Strait connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. Roughly 21,000 vessels passed through the strait in 2021, according to the U.S. Navy. Control of the strait helps determine who regulates maritime traffic between the Red Sea, the Suez Canal, and the wider Indian Ocean. The Houthis have periodically disrupted shipping there since 2015.
Who is affected by the Houthi red sea offensive?
The offensive affects Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and regional shipping. Global energy markets depend on safe passage through the strait, which links Middle Eastern oil producers to markets via the Suez Canal route. Commercial vessels and energy tankers are frequent targets when the Houthis control or threaten the area.
How did we get here?
Yemen descended into civil war in 2014 after Houthi forces advanced on the capital, Sana’a. Saudi Arabia and the UAE formed a military coalition in 2015 to restore the internationally recognized government. Iran has provided varying levels of support to the Houthis, according to U.S. officials.
What We Know — and What We Don’t
Verified by the source:
- Saudi and Yemeni forces are attacking the Houthis.
- The objective includes retaking control of the Red Sea coast.
- The Houthis receive backing from Iran.
- The broader effort targets the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
Still unconfirmed:
- The timing and scope of the Houthi red sea offensive.
- Casualties or territorial changes on the ground.
- Official Saudi or Yemeni government statements.
- Iranian involvement specifics.
Why It Matters
The Bab al-Mandab Strait remains one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints, with roughly 9% of global seaborne oil trade passing daily. Shifts in control there directly affect energy prices, insurance rates, and the security of international shipping routes.
What To Watch
Next steps include potential escalation or de-escalation depending on battlefield gains and diplomatic responses from regional and international actors.