Saudi Arabia plans major offensive against Houthis, with Yemeni troops to lead ground push
Riyadh is planning a decisive military campaign against the Houthis, putting over 100,000 Saudi-backed Yemeni soldiers on the front line, backed by air strikes.
Tension in West Asia has reached a very dangerous turn. The Strait of Hormuz was closed because of the Iran war. After that, Yemen's Houthi rebels took control of the Bab al-Mandeb strait, which connects to the Red Sea. This has deepened the crisis for the world's oil supply and maritime trade.
The effect of the maritime blockade is that fuel prices and freight costs are rising uncontrollably worldwide. To end the crisis, Saudi Arabia has planned broad and decisive military action against the Houthis.
According to a special report, Riyadh will this time put more than 100,000 Saudi-backed Yemeni soldiers in front instead of sending its own forces directly into ground fighting. The ground campaign will be covered by heavy air strikes by the Saudi air force and strong logistics supply. An attack from all sides is expected to begin in the coming weeks on key coastal locations and on main fronts such as Al-Bayda, Marib, Taiz and Al-Jawf.
Bab al-Mandeb is considered the southern gateway to the Red Sea. It is the main hub of maritime traffic between Asia and Europe. After the disruption in the Strait of Hormuz caused by the Iran war, the importance of this route has grown many times over. Saudi analysts say that if the Houthis retain control of Bab al-Mandeb, they will misuse it to pressure the international community. According to them, any peace talks with the Houthis would then become impossible. Loosening the Houthi grip on this sea route has therefore become the first priority for Saudi Arabia and its international partners.
Pakistan's role in this military strategy is considered extremely important and surprising. Under a joint defence agreement between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey, Pakistan has deployed a contingent of 30,000 to 40,000 troops in Saudi Arabia. These Pakistani soldiers have been given the responsibility of guarding Saudi borders. They are also tasked with protecting Saudi oil infrastructure from possible Houthi drone and missile attacks.
In addition, Pakistan sent four cargo aircraft to Aden in Yemen last month. They were loaded with air defence systems, artillery, drones and anti-drone systems. This military partnership is believed to have grown stronger under Pakistan's army chief, General Asim Munir.
The United States has also backed Saudi Arabia in the campaign. The US administration has deployed Patriot air defence systems for the security of Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Satellite intelligence and precise information on Houthi positions are being given to the Saudi forces. However, strategic discussions are still under way in Washington over the timing of the campaign and direct US involvement.
Even so, Saudi Arabia faces major challenges. The local groups fighting the Houthis in Yemen are divided among themselves. Internal differences between the United Arab Emirates (UAE)-backed groups and the Saudi-backed groups could create difficulties for the campaign. The Houthi rebels are also adept at guerrilla warfare in hilly terrain, so the fighting could prove long and difficult.
