As talks intensify about an imminent ground operation against the Houthi militia in Yemen, a key question emerges: Will Saudi Arabia take part in this military campaign, or will it continue to adhere to recent regional understandings, particularly with Iran?
Recent developments suggest that the moment of decisive action may be near. On the third anniversary of the formation of the Presidential Leadership Council, President Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi renewed his commitment — along with his fellow council members — to restoring state institutions and ending the suffering caused by the Houthi war, supported by Iran. Al-Alimi praised the resilience of the Yemeni people and their armed forces, and emphasized the importance of unifying national ranks and supporting the battle for liberation, which he said is approaching its decisive moment.
Other senior members of the Council echoed this stance. Aidaroos Al-Zubaidi called for strengthening and empowering southern forces to participate in the war, while Brigadier General Tariq Saleh indicated that the Al-Bayda governorate would be the first to be liberated — a strong signal of an impending offensive. Saleh made the remarks during a meeting with local leaders from Al-Bayda during the holy month of Ramadan.
Adding to the momentum, Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman held a phone call with his U.S. counterpart, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, in which they discussed regional security and ongoing efforts to counter the Houthis. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said the two ministers exchanged views on U.S. operations aimed at degrading Houthi capabilities and securing freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. They also discussed expanding Saudi-U.S. defense cooperation and agreed to maintain close coordination.
These developments align with a recent CNN report suggesting that a ground operation against the Houthis could be on the horizon, potentially supported by the United States and Saudi Arabia. While American involvement is expected to remain limited to logistical and intelligence support, Yemeni forces would lead the ground assault.
Yet the big question remains: **Will Saudi Arabia directly join this ground operation?**
Despite its central role in the Arab Coalition, Riyadh might hesitate to engage militarily on the ground due to ongoing diplomatic understandings with Iran and indirect communications with the Houthis. A direct military role could risk undermining those delicate talks.
Instead, Saudi Arabia may opt for indirect support, such as providing military facilities or intelligence backing, while leaving the front-line operations to Yemeni forces. This would allow the Kingdom to maintain its regional posture without fully abandoning efforts for a political resolution.
Still, with the United States increasing its military activity in the Red Sea and Yemeni leaders rallying for unity and action, the stage may be set for a pivotal moment in the conflict.
