https://www.timesofisrael.com/saudis-said-to-gear-up-for-ground-invasion-against-iran-backed-houthis-in-yemen/

Saudis said to gear up for ground invasion against Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen

Saudi forces seen withdrawing from east of Yemen, in possible prep for a campaign, report says, as Riyadh announces 14-country alliance to protect Red Sea shipping

Abdul-malik al-houthi does not mince his words. On July 16th the leader of the Houthis, a Shia militia that controls most of north-west Yemen, vowed a ruthless campaign against Saudi Arabia, his long-time foe. “The equation will be airports for airports, ports for ports, a blockade for a blockade,” he said in a broadcast. The Houthis quickly made good on the threat. Over the past couple of weeks the group has hit Saudi-linked tankers in the Red Sea and oil facilities in Jizan and Yanbu on the kingdom’s west coast. Shipping through the Bab al-Mandab strait, at the mouth of the sea, has fallen to its lowest level in months.https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2026/07/30/saudi-arabia-is-locked-in-a-dangerous-stand-off-with-the-houthis