Without waiting for the Americans: Saudi Arabia's plan for war against the Houthis comes to light

Saudi Arabia is considering launching a large-scale military operation against the Houthis in Yemen even without direct U.S. participation, according to American sources speaking to ABC News. Riyadh has signaled it is ready to act alone, though a final decision has not yet been made. Washington is willing to provide intelligence and target identification assistance but refrains from direct strikes.

Saudi Arabia is considering launching a large-scale military operation against the Houthis in Yemen even without direct U.S. participation, according to American sources speaking to ABC News. According to one source, Riyadh has conveyed in recent days that it is ready to act alone if necessary, though a final decision has not yet been made. The Trump administration, according to two American sources, is currently willing to provide Saudi Arabia with significant assistance in intelligence and target identification but does not plan to directly attack the Houthis. The sources emphasized that the American position may change if the threat to shipping routes in the Red Sea significantly escalates. A senior Trump administration official said the United States is focused on protecting key national security interests, foremost among them freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, but seeks to have its regional allies lead the direct confrontation with the threat. The Houthis and Iran understand, according to the sources, that an attempt to close or significantly disrupt traffic in the Bab el-Mandeb could provoke a harsher response from Saudi Arabia, the United States, and possibly other countries. If Saudi Arabia decides to act independently, it would be the first time in the current escalation that it clearly signals its willingness to lead the military operation itself.