Houthi war widens as Pakistan, Turkiye back Riyadh

Offensive launched

Yemen's Saudi-backed government announced a major military operation on Sunday to retake territory held by the Iran-backed Houthis. Presidential council head Rashad al-Alimi said the move followed continued Houthi mobilisation and threats to civilians, neighbouring countries and shipping lanes. Last month the Houthis swept down the Red Sea coast, seizing a key port and reaching the Bab al-Mandeb chokepoint.

Air power and retaliation

Saudi-led coalition spokesman Major General Turki al-Maliki said 100 fighter jets were supporting Yemeni forces and that the coalition had secured air protection over Bab al-Mandeb. The Houthis claimed missile and drone strikes on Aramco sites in Riyadh and Khurais, as well as on airports in Riyadh and Abha. Riyadh dismissed the Riyadh claim as misleading, and the Houthis denied that the government had captured Mocha.

Pakistan and Turkiye deploy

On Monday, defence and foreign ministers from Turkiye, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia met in Riyadh and agreed to activate deterrence measures under their mutual defence pact. They also agreed to rapidly deploy forces to the kingdom. Islamabad says its role is defensive, but analysts say the offensive tests how long it can stay out of the fighting.

Regional risks

Saudi Arabia entered Yemen's civil war in 2015 but failed to defeat the Houthis. Analysts expect Riyadh to seek a short, high-intensity campaign rather than another open-ended war, though escalation could threaten energy infrastructure and global shipping. The Houthis have targeted Saudi industrial and energy facilities since late July, raising fears for oil supplies.\