Saudi Arabia is weighing support for a ground campaign by Yemeni forces to retake Houthi-held stretches of the Red Sea coast, according to multiple reports, as the kingdom escalates its response to intensifying Iranian-backed attacks on shipping and regional infrastructure.
The escalation follows a Houthi ballistic missile strike Tuesday on the Tihamah, a small commercial cargo vessel in the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait. The Egyptian-owned, Tanzanian-flagged ship was struck twice, killing four crew members (three Pakistanis and one Indonesian) in the initial attack. Two Yemeni rescuers were killed during a search-and-rescue operation when the Houthis launched a second ballistic missile at the vessel, bringing the death toll to six.
Yemen's Transport Ministry said the Houthis fired three ballistic missiles at the vessel, which was carrying food supplies. The Houthis claimed the ship transported Saudi military equipment, a charge Yemeni officials and shipping data dispute. The ministry accused the Houthis of launching a follow-up strike to "endanger the lives of all onboard, including the rescue teams."
Saudi Arabia has spent the past three years attempting to contain the Houthis while avoiding a return to full-scale war. Now, Riyadh is evaluating military options, including backing a ground operation by Yemeni forces assembled from rival militias over the past seven months to retake Houthi-controlled coastal territories.
Saudi forces have reportedly been redeployed from eastern Yemen, possibly in preparation for an operation in Al-Bayda Governorate. Simultaneously, Saudi Arabia's Defense Ministry announced that 14 countries, including Turkey, Pakistan, Egypt, Sudan and Djibouti, have backed a multinational maritime coalition to protect Red Sea shipping.
The Houthis declared a blockade of Saudi vessels on July 20, saying it would continue until Riyadh lifts its own blockade of Yemen. Recent attacks have targeted Saudi oil infrastructure and the Red Sea energy export hub at Yanbu.
Saudi Arabia has not yet made a final decision on launching or fully backing such an offensive; officials describe it as contingency planning rather than an imminent order.
