1 day ago
Houthis Report Saudi Strikes as Riyadh Weighs Yemen Offensive
Yemen's Houthi group says Saudi Arabia carried out 94 airstrikes in areas the group controls.
The Houthis' news agency said the strikes hit several places, including the capital, Sanaa.
People familiar with Saudi plans say Riyadh is considering a military campaign against the Houthis.
Saudi Arabia is said to want to regain territory and secure the Bab el-Mandeb strait, an important route for ships.
One possible plan would focus on the coast, while another could involve attacks in several parts of Yemen.
More than 100,000 Yemeni troops could be involved, depending on the plan.
The people who described the plans could not say exactly when an offensive might begin.
A former US ambassador said he expects a more limited operation than Saudi Arabia's 2015 campaign.
Saudi and Houthi representatives had not immediately commented on the reported plans.
The Houthis said Saudi forces carried out 94 strikes in the previous 24 hours against areas they control.
The Houthi-run Saba news agency said targets included Sanaa, Hodeidah, Saada and Hajjah.
People familiar with Saudi discussions said Riyadh is weighing an offensive to regain territory and secure the Bab el-Mandeb strait.
Options reportedly include a focused coastal operation or a broader campaign, potentially involving more than 100,000 Yemeni troops and Saudi air support.
Sources gave no precise launch date; estimates ranged from within a week to after the US midterm elections in early November.
- Who
- Yemen's Houthis say Saudi forces carried out the strikes; Saudi Arabia is reportedly considering an offensive with aligned Yemeni forces.
- What
- The Houthis reported 94 Saudi strikes, while sources described possible Saudi plans for a campaign to regain territory and secure the Bab el-Mandeb strait.
- Where
- Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, including Sanaa, Hodeidah, Saada and Hajjah; possible campaign areas include the Bab el-Mandeb coast and other governorates.
- When
- The reported strikes occurred over the 24 hours before the Houthi announcement. The possible offensive has no confirmed launch date.
- Why
- According to sources familiar with the plans, Saudi Arabia wants to regain territory and secure the Bab el-Mandeb shipping route.
Saudi campaign rationale
Houthi position and reported claim
Strikes and escalation
Saudi campaign rationale
Saudi Arabia's plans are described by sources as an effort to regain territory and secure the Bab el-Mandeb strait; Saudi officials did not immediately comment.
Houthi position and reported claim
The Houthis said Saudi forces launched 94 strikes on areas under their control in the previous 24 hours and described them as part of an intensifying air campaign.
Scope of a possible operation
Saudi campaign rationale
Saudi Arabia is reportedly considering either a focused coastal operation or a broader offensive, potentially backed by Saudi air power.
Houthi position and reported claim
The article provides no Houthi response to the reported offensive plans.
Key facts
- Reported strikes
- 94 in the previous 24 hours, according to the Houthis.
- Locations named by Houthi media
- Sanaa, Hodeidah, Saada and Hajjah.
- Reported campaign options
- A focused coastal operation or a broader offensive on multiple fronts.
- Potential troop mobilisation
- More than 100,000 Yemeni troops, depending on the scale of the operation.
- Potential areas for broader attacks
- Al-Bayda, Marib, Taiz and Al-Jawf.
- Possible timing
- Sources' estimates ranged from within a week to after the US midterm elections in early November.
- Comment on expected scale
- Former US ambassador Michael Ratney expected a limited operation, smaller than the Saudi-led campaign in 2015.
Quotes
Michael Ratney
Former US ambassador to Saudi Arabia
“As much as they want to vanquish the Houthis completely, they also need to get back to status quo ante before Houthis controlled territory along Bab el-Mandeb”
firstpost.com
“Ideally, it would be a fairly limited operation to retake coastal areas and get back to normal maritime traffic.”
firstpost.com
Sources
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