Can Saudi Arabia rebuild Yemen’s fractured anti-Houthi coalition?
Saudi Arabia is attempting to unify fractured Yemeni factions to counter Houthi advances near the Red Sea coast. The effort follows the launch of Operation Dawn of Yemen, which aims to secure vital shipping lanes and energy export routes.
Why it matters
The stability of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait is critical for global energy security and regional geopolitical stability.
Saudi-backed Yemeni government soldiers gather near the Jabal Han front, west of the city of Taiz, following fierce battles earlier in the day, as Yemen's Houthis reportedly attempted to seize control of the main route between Taiz and the coastal city of Aden, on Oct. 3, 2026. — Ahmad Al-Basha / AFP via Getty Images Saudi Arabia is turning to Yemeni factions historically backed by the United Arab Emirates to counter Houthi advances, testing whether a shared threat can overcome rivalries that have fractured the anti-Houthi camp and strained Saudi-Emirati ties.
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