Saudi Arabia is considering a major military operation against the Houthis in Yemen. Photo: Collected
Saudi Arabia is considering a major military operation against Yemen’s Houthis, raising tensions in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait. Riyadh could carry out the operation without direct US military support if necessary, US media outlet ABC News reported.
However, Saudi Arabia has not yet made a final decision. The United States is also not planning to launch a direct attack on the Houthis for now.
ABC News, citing two US officials, reported that Saudi Arabia has told the US in recent days that it is ready to launch a major military operation against the Houthis. Washington is currently providing Riyadh with intelligence and target identification assistance.
US officials have said Washington has no immediate plans to launch a direct military strike against the Houthis, but the US position could change if the threat to commercial shipping in the Red Sea increases.
Admiral Brad Cooper, head of US Central Command, reportedly visited Saudi Arabia on Thursday and met with officials from the country.
Meanwhile, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke twice by phone with US President Donald Trump on Thursday. A US official said the Saudi crown prince was seeking direct US military intervention, but he did not say it was immediately necessary.
A senior Trump administration official said that ensuring freedom of navigation and security in the Red Sea is one of the most important interests of the United States. However, Washington wants to lead regional countries, including Saudi Arabia, in addressing regional security crises.
However, officials said the United States could intervene directly if Houthi attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea increase.
Analysts say the Houthi attacks on Saudi-linked ships have increased the risk of shipping across the region, particularly if commercial shipping through the Bab al-Mandab Strait is blocked or disrupted.