According to Yemeni sources, the Saudi military has withdrawn troops from East Yemen to prepare for a ground offensive in the central part of the country, while Riyadh simultaneously organizes a multinational maritime defense coalition for the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The troop movements focus on the Al Bayda governorate, an area seized by the Houthis between 2020 and 2021.
Saudi-Led Maritime Coalition and Regional Security
The Saudi defense ministry stated Thursday, according to The Guardian, that 14 countries—including Turkey, Pakistan, Egypt, Sudan, and Djibouti—supported the planned maritime defense cooperation in a joint statement. Riyadh also invited the United States, alongside European nations Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and Italy. Meanwhile, the European Union already operates the Aspides naval mission in the Red Sea. However, uncertainty remains over whether the blockade announced by the Houthis applies to all vessels or strictly targets Saudi shipping.
Vulnerability of Saudi Oil Export Infrastructure
The Houthis announced a blockade on Saudi ships on July 20, stating it will remain in effect until Saudi Arabia lifts its own blockade against Yemen. The group denied plans to charge fees on all passing vessels, asserting the dispute concerns Yemen’s future rather than Iran directly. On July 25, the Houthis claimed a strike on oil infrastructure connecting Saudi Arabia’s eastern oilfields to the Red Sea port of Yanbu. Before the conflict, up to 80 percent of Saudi crude exports transited the Strait of Hormuz. Currently, more than half of Saudi oil travels via overland pipeline to Yanbu. Consequently, any closure of the Red Sea route alongside Hormuz restrictions would severely constrain the country’s oil exports.
Did you know?
Before regional maritime tensions escalated, the vast majority of Saudi crude oil exports relied heavily on the Strait of Hormuz before overland pipelines to Red Sea ports gained prominence.
Diplomatic Efforts and Military Escalation
Military clashes between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia intensified over a two-week period. The rebels launched multiple attacks against Saudi Aramco oil facilities, while the Saudi air force struck Houthi-controlled targets near the port city of Hodeida, alongside a reported attack on a third Saudi commercial ship in the Red Sea. On Wednesday, Saudi airstrikes hit Iraqi targets following previous attacks by Iraqi militias on Saudi oil installations. U.S. President Donald Trump claimed the Iraqi government helped facilitate U.S.-Saudi operations, though Baghdad has not confirmed this. Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman held urgent talks Wednesday with Donald Trump and U.S. Vice President JD Vance to signal Riyadh’s readiness to defend its territory and energy infrastructure while avoiding escalation with Iran and pursuing a diplomatic settlement. Mediation talks between Oman and Iran remain ongoing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Saudi troops repositioning in Yemen?
According to Yemeni sources, the Saudi military withdrew troops from East Yemen to prepare for a ground offensive in the central Al Bayda governorate.
What nations are supporting the Red Sea maritime coalition?
The Saudi defense ministry stated that 14 countries—including Turkey, Pakistan, Egypt, Sudan, and Djibouti—backed the initiative in a joint statement alongside invitations extended to the U.S., Germany, France, the U.K., and Italy.
How are Houthi actions impacting Saudi oil exports?
Houthi strikes on infrastructure linked to the Yanbu port threaten Saudi Arabia’s reliance on Red Sea transport routes, which currently handle more than half of the nation’s oil exports.
Stay Connected
Explore our latest coverage on regional security developments, or join the conversation by leaving a comment below.
Worth a look