Saudi Arabia Signals Major Maritime Crack-Down on Houthi Routes in Red Sea
Riyadh prepares naval operations and intelligence campaign to re-assert control over Bab el-Mandeb and Houthi maritime supply lines
Saudi Arabia is actively preparing to deploy naval forces to the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait as it seeks to re-assert maritime dominance over routes used by the Ansar Allah (Houthi) movement in Yemen, following a two-day maritime exercise and a recent United Nations Security Council resolution enhancing boarding rights on international waters.
On November 15, Riyadh began coordinating with allied naval units to conduct joint ship-inspection missions targeting vessels heading to the Houthi-controlled port of Hodeidah, shifting operations from Djibouti to deep-sea areas, according to military officials with the Yemen internationally-recognised government.
The move coincides with the conclusion of the “Red Wave” naval drills held at King Faisal Naval Base in Jeddah on November 13, which brought together Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Sudan, Djibouti and Yemen’s Aden-based navy.
During the drills, commanders emphasised securing shipping lanes and executing ship-inspection operations, signalling Riyadh’s intent to launch a more assertive maritime campaign.
The recent U.N. resolution authorises boarding and inspecting vessels suspected of violating sanctions, providing a legal foothold for Saudi-coordinated operations.
Meanwhile, Riyadh has expanded its information-operations efforts, reportedly allocating millions of dollars to press technology platforms to dismantle Houthi-linked influence networks.
The Houthi response was swift: they alleged Saudi-led censorship of “voices of resistance” after dozens of accounts were removed by Meta.
Analysts view the renewed Saudi pressure on the Houthis as part of a broader regional strategy linked to Iran’s role via Yemen.
As one Israel-based regional security expert noted, Riyadh’s actions may show a willingness to challenge the Iranian–Houthi alliance more directly, and could even indicate closer coordination with Israel.
The Houthis, for their part, warn of “victories over America” and threats to maritime traffic near Israel, while simultaneously intensifying internal repression—issuing death sentences for alleged spies and accusing the United States, Saudi Arabia and Israel of running a joint intelligence headquarters inside Yemen.
Although full-scale conflict is not yet evident, the joint naval posture gives Saudi Arabia expanded tactical options and raises the risks of miscalculation in the region.
With commerce moving through the Bab el-Mandeb increasing and global shipping sensitive to Red Sea instability, Riyadh’s shift signals that maritime security in the Gulf is once again entering a critical phase.
On November 15, Riyadh began coordinating with allied naval units to conduct joint ship-inspection missions targeting vessels heading to the Houthi-controlled port of Hodeidah, shifting operations from Djibouti to deep-sea areas, according to military officials with the Yemen internationally-recognised government.
The move coincides with the conclusion of the “Red Wave” naval drills held at King Faisal Naval Base in Jeddah on November 13, which brought together Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Sudan, Djibouti and Yemen’s Aden-based navy.
During the drills, commanders emphasised securing shipping lanes and executing ship-inspection operations, signalling Riyadh’s intent to launch a more assertive maritime campaign.
The recent U.N. resolution authorises boarding and inspecting vessels suspected of violating sanctions, providing a legal foothold for Saudi-coordinated operations.
Meanwhile, Riyadh has expanded its information-operations efforts, reportedly allocating millions of dollars to press technology platforms to dismantle Houthi-linked influence networks.
The Houthi response was swift: they alleged Saudi-led censorship of “voices of resistance” after dozens of accounts were removed by Meta.
Analysts view the renewed Saudi pressure on the Houthis as part of a broader regional strategy linked to Iran’s role via Yemen.
As one Israel-based regional security expert noted, Riyadh’s actions may show a willingness to challenge the Iranian–Houthi alliance more directly, and could even indicate closer coordination with Israel.
The Houthis, for their part, warn of “victories over America” and threats to maritime traffic near Israel, while simultaneously intensifying internal repression—issuing death sentences for alleged spies and accusing the United States, Saudi Arabia and Israel of running a joint intelligence headquarters inside Yemen.
Although full-scale conflict is not yet evident, the joint naval posture gives Saudi Arabia expanded tactical options and raises the risks of miscalculation in the region.
With commerce moving through the Bab el-Mandeb increasing and global shipping sensitive to Red Sea instability, Riyadh’s shift signals that maritime security in the Gulf is once again entering a critical phase.