Saudi Arabia assembled a coalition of Arab nations and launched an operation against the Houthis on March 26, 2015, at the request of President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi. Riyadh feared the Houthis' strengthening would turn Yemen into Iran's foothold near the Saudi border, reflecting a long-standing rivalry for influence in the Middle East.

The expectation of a short military campaign was unmet, as the conflict has lasted over a decade. A UN-brokered truce in 2022 did not lead to lasting peace. Following the escalation in Gaza in 2023, the Houthis began attacking Israel-linked vessels in the Red Sea, re-emerging as a threat to international shipping and regional security.