Saudi Arabia Readies for Major Offensive Against Houthis in Yemen
WHO:
The Times of Israel - Saudi Arabia, the Iran-backed Houthis, and a coalition of 13 countries including Bahrain, Bangladesh, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Nigeria, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Turkey, and Yemen.
The Times of Israel - The US and several European countries have been asked to join the maritime defense alliance.
WHAT:
Bloomberg Markets - Six Saudi oil tankers are sailing away from the Bab el-Mandeb chokepoint and are embarking on an unusual trip around Africa due to threats from Houthi rebels.
The Times of Israel - Saudi Arabia is preparing for a major offensive against the Houthis, which may include a ground operation.
The Times of Israel - The Houthis declared a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia on July 20.
The Times of Israel - Saudi Arabia and the Houthis exchanged fire earlier in the month, threatening a 2022 truce.
WHERE:
The Times of Israel - The strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Red Sea are key locations in the conflict.
The Times of Israel - The attacks on ships began in Yemen and affected global shipping routes.
WHEN:
The Times of Israel - The maritime blockade by the Houthis was declared on July 20.
The Times of Israel - The Houthis' attacks on ships began in November 2023 and ended with a ceasefire in Gaza last October.
WHY:
The Times of Israel - The offensive is in response to the Houthis' blockade and attacks on Saudi oil tankers and infrastructure.
HOW:
The Times of Israel - Saudi forces have been seen withdrawing from the east of Yemen, indicating preparation for a ground attack.
The Times of Israel - A maritime defense alliance has been formed to secure navigation around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
(UPDATED July 31, 2026 11:44 UTC)
Six Saudi oil tankers are currently making an unusual journey around Africa after departing from the Bab el-Mandeb chokepoint. This decision comes in response to threats posed by Houthi rebels in the region. The tankers are navigating away from their typical routes to ensure the safety of their cargo.
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(UPDATED July 31, 2026 10:55 UTC)
Saudi Arabia is gearing up for a significant offensive against the Iran-backed Houthis, which may involve a ground operation in response to the Houthis' maritime blockade and attacks on Saudi oil tankers. The conflict is centered around the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Red Sea, where the Houthis declared their blockade on July 20 and have been targeting ships since November 2023. A coalition of 13 countries, including Bahrain, Egypt, and Turkey, is forming a maritime defense alliance to enhance security in the region, while the US and several European nations have been invited to join this effort.