- The Bab al-Mandeb Strait is a vital artery for global trade and Saudi oil exports. Control of that country gives the Houthis and their Iranian support a powerful new pressure point on the United States, its Gulf allies and the global economy.
Driving the news: In recent weeks, the Houthis have taken control of key areas of the southern Red Sea coast that control the strait. They have also increased missile and drone attacks against Saudi Arabia. The Saudis responded with airstrikes against Houthi targets.
Behind the scenes: A U.S. official said the Saudis had been preparing the operation for weeks and that the plans were approved by Saudi leaders several days ago.
- The operation will include ground forces loyal to Yemen’s internationally recognized government, with Saudi air cover.
- On Thursday, Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid Bin Salman called Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to brief him on the planned operation and again request U.S. airstrikes against Houthi targets, the U.S. official said.
- A U.S. official said the United States was “not going to take any kinetic actions at this time.”
- Last week, President Trump was close to ordering a strike against the Houthis at the request of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), but ultimately decided to wait.
Between the lines: Trump is caught between wanting to help his friend and ally MBS and avoiding getting entangled in a new front in the Middle East.
- U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) also had serious reservations about launching strikes in Yemen and saw it as a distraction from its focus on Iran, a U.S. official said.
Zoom: U.S. officials say the U.S. military helps the Saudis in anything other than direct combat, primarily with intelligence and targeting data.
- A US official said that over the past two weeks, the US military had provided the Saudis with more than 200 Houthi targets to strike. The official said the strikes had significantly increased pressure on the Houthis.
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