Saudi Arabia has now entered the fray! On July 25, according to foreign media reports, Saudi Arabia has just launched an attack on the port of Hudaydah in Yemen. It is expected that the Houthi forces will likely retaliate against Saudi Arabia soon—possibly targeting the port of Yanbu. Why did Saudi Arabia choose to strike Hudaydah Port? The fundamental reason is one: to ensure the smooth operation of its vital maritime energy export routes.

Previously, the Houthi forces officially announced a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia, directly deploying missiles and drones to attack Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, forcing multiple cargo ships to turn back mid-journey. With access through the Strait of Hormuz being disrupted, the Red Sea route has become the most critical alternative lifeline for Saudi oil exports. If the Bab el-Mandeb Strait were completely severed by the Houthis, Saudi Arabia’s oil export channels would face devastating consequences—a scenario Saudi Arabia absolutely cannot accept.

Hudaydah Port is the Houthi forces’ most crucial military stronghold along the Red Sea coast. It is from this coastal region that the Houthis launch a large number of anti-ship missiles and drones, continuously harassing shipping lanes in the Red Sea. By targeting military facilities around Hudaydah in this airstrike, Saudi Arabia aims to directly weaken the Houthis’ maritime strike capabilities and reduce the risk of its oil tankers being attacked at the source.

Evidently, facing the Houthi actions, Saudi Arabia could not remain silent. If it stayed silent, the result would be that Saudi oil simply couldn’t be exported. Saudi Arabia’s retaliation sends a clear message to the Houthi forces: such blockades are unacceptable. In fact, the international community—including us—does not support such blockade tactics. The only remaining uncertainty now is how far the Houthis will retaliate and what further moves Saudi Arabia might take.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1871648690616332/

Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author.