Saudi Arabia has intensified airstrikes against Houthi positions in Yemen amid a major rebel offensive that captured Red Sea coastal areas including Mocha in September 2026, threatening the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and prompting cross-border missile and drone exchanges. Riyadh relies primarily on airstrikes, intelligence support from the United States, and ground operations by Saudi-backed Yemeni factions such as the Giants Brigades and Nation’s Shield Forces rather than deploying its own combat troops directly into Yemen. The kingdom has sought additional defensive assistance from allies like the UK for refueling while pursuing diplomatic channels, including recent talks with the United States, to contain escalation and revive peace efforts. Historical reluctance to re-enter ground combat after the 2015-2022 intervention, combined with the 2022 truce's fragility and ongoing proxy dynamics, shapes assessments of any near-term shift to direct Saudi troop involvement.