Archive · 20 Sep 2026
Houthi Advances Leave US and Saudi Arabia Without Counteroffensive Plan
The Houthis are a group fighting in Yemen.
They have recently taken important places near the Red Sea.
Saudi Arabia is trying to stop them, but it has not pushed them back.
Saudi Arabia asked the United States to carry out attacks, but the United States has not agreed.
The United States is instead helping with information and targeting support.
Saudi Arabia says its defenses stopped several attacks aimed at Riyadh and Yanbu.
The Houthis said they attacked important sites in those areas.
Leaders in the region worry that the fighting could spread and affect energy supplies.
The Houthis have captured a strategically important Red Sea island and advanced along Yemen’s coast.
The United States has provided Saudi Arabia intelligence and targeting support but ruled out offensive strikes.
Saudi Arabia has asked the United States to strike the Houthis and sought air-defense assistance from several countries.
The Houthis claimed attacks on sites in Riyadh and an Aramco facility in Yanbu; Saudi Arabia said it intercepted missiles and thwarted other attacks.
Regional officials fear the offensive could prolong the Iran war and worsen an already severe global energy crisis.
- Who
- The Houthi movement, Saudi Arabia, the United States, and regional governments are involved.
- What
- Houthi advances and attacks have left Saudi Arabia and the United States without a clear counteroffensive plan.
- When
- Fighting has intensified in recent weeks; reported attacks occurred on Saturday, after Saudi requests for US strikes last week.
- Where
- The fighting is centered in Yemen and the Red Sea region, with reported attacks toward Riyadh and Yanbu in Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- The Houthis are seeking greater control, including eventual control of the Bab al Mandeb Strait, while Saudi Arabia seeks to stop their advances and protect its territory and infrastructure.
United States and Saudi Arabia
Houthi movement and regional critics
Military intervention
United States and Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia wants direct US strikes, while the United States has limited its role to intelligence and targeting support and has ruled out offensive strikes.
Houthi movement and regional critics
The Houthi movement has continued its offensive and attacks despite the absence of a US counteroffensive.
Saudi defensive capacity
United States and Saudi Arabia
US officials and other sources doubt Saudi Arabia can stop the Houthi advance alone; regional officials also say it is running low on missile interceptors.
Houthi movement and regional critics
The Saudi-led coalition says its air defenses intercepted a ballistic missile headed toward Riyadh and thwarted additional attacks, with no casualties reported.
Regional diplomacy
United States and Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia declined to attend a planned GCC–Iran meeting amid concerns about a possible Oman–Iran agreement on the Strait of Hormuz.
Houthi movement and regional critics
Regional officials and former US diplomat Joey Hood warned that the offensive and related negotiations could create additional risks and prolong the wider conflict.
- Recent Houthi gain
- The Houthis captured a strategically important island in the Red Sea and took key coastal towns in Yemen.
- US position
- The Trump administration has shown little interest in using US forces against the Houthis; a US official said there would be no offensive strikes.
- Saudi request
- Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman asked for US strikes in two calls last week, but the request was rebuffed.
- Reported attacks
- The Houthis said they targeted sensitive sites in Riyadh and an Aramco facility in Yanbu with missiles and drones.
- Saudi response
- The Saudi-led coalition said its air defenses destroyed a ballistic missile headed toward Riyadh and thwarted other attacks.
- Defense concerns
- Regional officials said Saudi Arabia is running low on missile interceptors and has requested support from France, Britain, Pakistan, and Egypt.
- Diplomatic development
- A first Gulf Cooperation Council–Iran meeting since the war began was canceled after Saudi Arabia declined to attend.