The Aporia
The Aporia
Saudi Arabia is planning an offensive against Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen, expected to launch within weeks. The operation will involve Yemeni ground forces overseen by Riyadh, supported by Saudi air strikes. Although Washington is providing intelligence and some regional and European nations offer defensive military aid, these allies are not expected to engage directly in combat operations.
The conflict stems from Saudi Arabia entering Yemen’s civil war in 2015 at the head of an Arab coalition, aimed at supporting the internationally recognized government after Houthi fighters drove it out of Sanaa. Recent tensions escalated when the Houthis seized much of Yemen's Red Sea coast, including strategic areas like Mocha port and islands in the Bab el-Mandeb strait—a crucial route for global oil shipments.
On October 2, Yemen’s President Rashad al-Alimi announced the start of military operations to retake Houthi-held territory and extend state authority across the entire country. This comes after heavy fighting around Taiz and other areas where both sides are battling for territorial control and strategic advantages along key shipping routes like Bab el-Mandeb.
The humanitarian situation in Yemen remains dire, with millions facing acute hunger and hundreds of thousands displaced by ongoing hostilities.
