Saudi Arabia Plans Military Offensive Against Yemen's Houthis After Bab al-Mandab Seizure

Saudi Arabia is preparing a military offensive against Yemen's Houthis, who seized the Bab al-Mandab strait last month, with operations expected within weeks.

• More than 100,000 Yemeni government troops would lead operations with Saudi air support, while Washington provides intelligence to Riyadh.
• Saudi planners are weighing a limited operation around the strait or coordinated attacks on Al Bayda, Marib, Taiz, and Al Jawf governorates.
• Pakistan has deployed 30,000–40,000 troops in Saudi territory and shipped air-defense systems and drones to Aden, sources said.
• Riyadh concluded it cannot enter new peace negotiations while the Houthis control the Bab al-Mandab strait, Western diplomats and a Gulf official said.
• Washington declined for a second time a Saudi request for direct US airstrikes, US officials told Axios.