Archive · 31 Jul 2026
Saudi Prepares Offensive to Break Houthi Red Sea Blockade
Saudi Arabia is getting ready to attack the Houthi rebels in Yemen by both land and sea.
They want to stop the Houthis from blocking Saudi ships that carry oil through the Red Sea.
A group of countries, like Turkey, Pakistan, and the United States, is helping Saudi Arabia protect its ships.
The Houthis say they will stop blocking ships only if Saudi stops blocking Yemen.
Saudi ships have already been hit by the Houthis, and Saudi oil now mostly goes through the port of Yanbu because the usual route through the Strait of Hormuz is blocked.
Saudi Arabia is planning a land and naval offensive to break a Houthi blockade on its Red Sea oil exports.
A multinational maritime coalition, including Turkey, Pakistan, Egypt, Sudan, Djibouti, the United States, and the European Union, has been formed to protect shipping.
The Houthis, controlling Yemen’s capital Sana’a and much of its Red Sea coast, have imposed a blockade on Saudi ships and claim they will lift it only if Saudi lifts its blockade on Yemen.
Saudi forces withdrew from eastern Yemen, possibly preparing for a land attack, while Houthi forces reportedly struck Saudi oil transport sites on July 25.
The Red Sea route has become critical for Saudi oil exports after the Strait of Hormuz blockade, with over half of Saudi crude now shipped via Yanbu.
- Who
- Saudi Arabia and the Houthis
- What
- Saudi plans a land and naval offensive to lift a Houthi blockade on its Red Sea oil exports
- When
- July 2024
- Where
- Yemen, Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab Strait
- Why
- To secure Saudi oil export routes and counter the Houthi blockade
- Country of Offensive
- Saudi Arabia
- Target Group
- Houthis
- Coalition Members
- Turkey, Pakistan, Egypt, Sudan, Djibouti, United States, European Union
- Blockade Location
- Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait
- Oil Export Route
- Yanbu port
- Date of Houthi Blockade Announcement
- 20 July 2024
- Date of Houthi Attack on Saudi Sites
- 25 July 2024