Saudi Arabia is planning an offensive against Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen, with options including a coastal push to secure the Red Sea shipping route or a broader assault on multiple fronts, according to regional and Western officials.

The operation is expected to launch in the coming weeks and will be led by Yemeni forces overseen by Riyadh, supported by Saudi air strikes. Six people with knowledge of the preparations said the United States is providing intelligence, while some regional and European nations offer mainly defensive military aid, but no direct combat role for Saudi allies.

A key objective is to reverse rapid Houthi gains last month, when the group advanced down the coast and seized control of the Bab el-Mandeb strait. The Saudis are considering either a narrowly focused attack around Bab el-Mandeb or a broader offensive including synchronized attacks in the governorates of Al-Bayda, Marib, Taiz, and Al-Jawf.

Houthi advances have threatened vital shipping lanes, prompting Saudi efforts to protect the route used for rerouted oil exports amid disruptions elsewhere. The planned response emphasizes Yemeni-led ground operations backed by Saudi air power to minimize direct kingdom involvement.

This development follows weeks of Houthi attacks on Saudi targets and gains along Yemen's western coast. Officials stressed the operation aims to secure maritime access without escalating into wider conflict.