Saudis plan assault on Houthis to break Red Sea chokehold

Saudi Arabia is planning an

offensive against Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen, with

options being considered including a coastal push to secure the

Red Sea shipping route or an assault on multiple fronts,

regional and Western officials told Reuters.



The operation, expected to be launched in the coming weeks,

will by led by Yemeni forces on the ground, which are overseen

by Riyadh, and supported by Saudi air strikes, according to six

people with knowledge of the preparations.



While the US is already providing intelligence to support

Riyadh's operations in Yemen, and some regional and European

nations are providing mainly defensive military aid to the

kingdom, the Saudi allies aren't expected to play a direct role

in combat operations, said the people who requested anonymity to

discuss security matters.