Saudi Arabia is reportedly preparing a military operation against the Houthi movement in Yemen, aiming to secure its oil exports through the southern Red Sea. Yemeni sources indicate the offensive could involve both naval and land components, with Saudi forces seen withdrawing from eastern Yemen, potentially positioning for a ground assault in central regions such as al-Bayda, a governorate seized by the Houthis in 2020-21.
The Saudi defense ministry announced the formation of a maritime defense coalition supported by 14 countries, including Turkey, Pakistan, Egypt, Sudan, and Djibouti. Riyadh is also seeking the participation of the United States and several European nations—Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and Italy—in this security effort. The coalition aims to protect shipping lanes in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab strait, critical routes for Saudi oil exports that have come under threat from repeated Houthi attacks.
On July 20, the Iran-aligned Houthis, who control Yemen’s capital, Sana’a, and much of its Red Sea coastline, declared a blockade on Saudi ships. While they denied plans to impose tolls on all vessels, the group stated the blockade would remain until Saudi Arabia lifted its restrictions on Yemen. The Houthis framed the confrontation as a dispute over Yemen’s future rather than a direct conflict with Iran.
Amid escalating tensions, Houthi forces reported striking “sensitive” oil transport infrastructure inside Saudi Arabia on July 25, targeting facilities linking eastern oilfields with Red Sea export terminals. If Saudi shipping is blocked both via the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz, which has long been a primary export route, the kingdom’s crude exports could face severe disruptions. Prior to conflict in the region, up to 80% of Saudi crude passed through the Strait of Hormuz, but shifts in logistics have increased reliance on Red Sea ports like Yanbu, where over half of Saudi oil is currently loaded.
The recent period has seen intensified hostilities across the region. Saudi airstrikes targeted Houthi positions in the Yemeni port of Hodeidah, while the rebels launched attacks on Saudi Aramco facilities and commercial vessels in the Red Sea. Concurrently, Saudi forces struck militia targets in Iraq, reportedly killing at least 20 individuals in retaliation for attacks on Saudi oil assets. While U.S. President Donald Trump stated these strikes had the consent of the Iraqi government, Baghdad did not confirm this claim.
U.S. and Saudi officials have stressed a desire to avoid broader escalation. Saudi defense minister Prince Khalid bin Salman met with Trump and U.S. political figures to coordinate responses while maintaining that diplomatic channels remain open for resolving wider tensions with Iran. The conflict includes recent U.S. military actions targeting Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps installations, aiming to degrade threats to American forces and regional allies.
Meanwhile, the conflict’s reach appeared to widen when drone strikes ignited fires on two natural gas vessels at Egypt’s port of Damietta. Egypt confirmed a drone attack on a U.S.-owned floating storage unit and a Greek-owned tanker but attributed responsibility as unclear. The Houthis denied involvement. This incident marked the first direct attack on Egyptian territory since hostilities intensified in the region.
Efforts to resume diplomatic negotiations continue despite the escalations. Pakistani officials reported ongoing mediation attempts to bring all parties back to the negotiating table amid the complex and evolving security situation in the Red Sea corridor and Yemen.