Yemen’s Red Sea Gambit: A New Regional Power Struggle

Operation Dawn has opened a new chapter in Yemen’s long-running war, bringing the strategically vital Bab al-Mandeb Strait back to the centre of the conflict, as Iran, the United States, Pakistan and Türkiye are increasingly drawn into a wider struggle.

“Today, I announce the start of military operations to retake the remaining territory of the republic and extend the authority of the state and its institutions across the entire national territory.”

“Today, I announce the start of military operations to retake the remaining territory of the republic and extend the authority of the state and its institutions across the entire national territory.”

This was the statement after which, on 5th October, the Saudi-led coalition and Yemen’s military forces launched an offensive against the Houthis, marking the beginning of Operation Dawn of Yemen. Saudi-led coalition spokesman Maj. Gen. Turki al-Maliki said 100 fighter jets were supporting Yemeni government forces. According to sources, the coalition had destroyed 324 targets since the beginning of the operation. The operation combines Saudi-led coalition air support with a ground offensive by Yemeni government-aligned forces, and they conducted a multi-domain military operation, including air strikes (100 jets), ground operations (in Dhubab and Mokha), and naval strikes in Hodeidah province, where they foiled the Houthis’ plan to attack ships in the southern Red Sea.

Recent escalations have their roots in the 2011 Arab Spring protests, which eventually led to President Ali Abdullah Saleh transferring power to his deputy, Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, in 2012. Because of the instability during the Arab Spring and the subsequent weakening of the government, the Houthis were able to expand their territorial influence and eventually captured Sana’a, the capital of Yemen, in 2014. In March 2015, at the request of the Yemeni President, Saudi Arabia intervened to stop the Houthis from consolidating control over Yemen and to protect its own southern border. The UN-mediated truce began in April 2022, significantly reduced hostilities but........

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