Media reports suggest that Saudi Arabia is preparing itself to carry out large-scale attacks against the Houthis of Yemen, an armed group supported by the Islamic Republic.

The Guardian newspaper, citing Yemeni sources, wrote that Saudi forces are preparing for a possible operation that would involve both a naval and a ground component.

The paper also refers to reports according to which Saudi forces are withdrawing from eastern Yemen; an action that may be carried out as part of preparations for a large-scale attack.

On July 20, the Houthis announced that they would impose a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea, and since then they have claimed to have carried out a series of attacks against ships linked to Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia, in response, has carried out airstrikes against what it described as Houthi military installations in Hodeidah that were used to threaten commercial shipping.