Saudi Arabia Reportedly Plans Major Military Offensive Against Yemen's Houthi Rebels

Fighting between Yemen's government forces and the Iran-backed Houthi rebels has intensified, with Yemen's armed forces claiming to have launched 474 strikes against Houthi positions in a single day. According to military sources, more than 1,500 Houthi fighters were killed or wounded during the operations.

Meanwhile, the Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted three ballistic missiles launched by the Houthis toward southern Saudi Arabia.

Amid the escalating conflict, Saudi Arabia is reportedly preparing for a major military offensive against the Houthi movement. Citing regional and Western officials, Reuters reported that Riyadh is considering multiple operational scenarios, including a coastal campaign to secure Red Sea shipping routes and coordinated offensives across several frontlines in Yemen.

The report said the operation could begin within the coming weeks and would be led by Yemeni government ground forces under Saudi supervision.

Although allied countries are not expected to participate directly in the offensive, the United States is providing intelligence support to assist Saudi-backed operations in Yemen. Several regional and European countries are also offering defensive military assistance, according to the report.

Separately, Middle East Eye reported that Pakistan delivered weapons to Yemen's Saudi-backed government last month through four cargo aircraft, although neither Islamabad nor Riyadh has publicly commented on the claim.

Reuters further reported that Saudi Arabia is evaluating two primary military options. One involves an offensive around the strategically important Bab al-Mandeb Strait, while the other envisions a broader campaign across multiple fronts, including the governorates of Al-Bayda, Marib, Taiz and Al-Jawf.

Officials cited by Reuters said more than 100,000 Yemeni troops could be deployed as part of the operation. However, both the Saudi and Yemeni governments have declined to comment on the reported plans.

As preparations for the reported offensive continue, clashes between Yemeni government forces and Houthi rebels have intensified. Yemeni military sources claim that 474 strikes were carried out against Houthi positions in a single day, resulting in more than 1,500 Houthi casualties. At the same time, the Saudi-led coalition announced it had intercepted three ballistic missiles launched by the Houthis toward southern Saudi Arabia.