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Saudi-led coalition intensifies operations against Houthis in Red Sea

A Saudi-led military coalition has launched a major campaign to counter Houthi control of strategic Red Sea waterways. The operation involves nearly 100 fighter jets and aims to secure key maritime chokepoints critical to global shipping.

LSN India · 5 October 2026

Saudi-led coalition intensifies operations against Houthis in Red Sea

The Saudi-led coalition has announced a significant escalation in its operations against Houthi forces in the Red Sea region, with military officials describing the effort as a coordinated push to restore government control over strategically vital waters. Saudi Major General Turki al-Malki stated that coalition forces were providing comprehensive operational backing to Yemeni government troops engaged in the campaign.

According to coalition statements, approximately 100 fighter jets have been mobilized to support the operation, which includes establishing air cover over the Bab el-Mandeb Strait—a narrow waterway separating Yemen from Africa that serves as a critical passage for international maritime traffic. The coalition has claimed responsibility for destroying hundreds of Houthi-affiliated military targets as part of the broader campaign.

The Red Sea has become an increasingly contested zone, with control of its passages holding significant implications for regional security and global trade flows. The coalition's intervention underscores the strategic importance of maintaining open shipping lanes through the region, which serve as vital arteries for commerce between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

The coalition's claims regarding destroyed targets and operational achievements have not been independently verified by external sources. The ongoing campaign represents part of the broader conflict dynamics in Yemen, where multiple factions have vied for control of key territories and infrastructure.