More than 100 US military advisers are now in Saudi Arabia assisting the Kingdom with intelligence and targeting capabilities as it battles the Iran-backed Houthi movement in Yemen, according to multiple sources familiar with the operation quoted by CNN on Thursday.
The expanding cooperation comes as fighting intensifies and raises concerns that the conflict could develop into an open war and threaten another critical Middle Eastern shipping route.
The American personnel are operating under a newly created joint forces command established in recent weeks amid indications that Iran was increasing its support for Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia. One US official familiar with the effort estimated that roughly 200 American troops are involved. Five sources familiar with the operations described the US military presence to CNN.
Washington has also helped Saudi military officers use a battlefield targeting system that provides a real-time view of developments on the ground. One US official compared the technology with the Pentagon's Maven system, while another source said the US is supplying “geospatial" targeting assistance for Saudi strikes against the Houthis.
The American role remains limited, however. The United States continues to share intelligence with Saudi Arabia as part of its longstanding cooperation with the Kingdom, but US forces are not taking part in strikes. Washington is also not providing aerial refueling or other operational assistance that it has supplied during previous Saudi campaigns against the Houthis.
Instead, one source said, the current effort is intended to help ensure that Saudi military operations are conducted smoothly and professionally. All the sources described the deployment as an extension of existing US-Saudi military cooperation and training.
A Department of Defense official declined to discuss the operation, telling CNN that “as a matter of practice we do not comment on intelligence-related matters." CNN also contacted the Saudi Arabian embassy in Washington.
The report came as the Houthis seized the Red Sea coastal city of Mocha. If their control of the city is consolidated, it could significantly expand the Houthis' ability to operate near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which they have threatened to close completely.
Earlier this week, the Houthis targeted four cities in southern Saudi Arabia - Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan, and Najran - leaving 73 civilians wounded, including women and children.
Tensions between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia have been on the rise since July, with the rebels continuing to strike Saudi-affiliated targets.
On July 20, Houthi leadership announced a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea, framing the measure as a response to an alleged Saudi blockade on Yemen - an accusation Riyadh denies.
Regional volatility escalated further when Houthi spokespersons accused Saudi air forces of carrying out airstrikes against Sanaa International Airport. However, Yemen's internationally recognized government accepted responsibility for the raid, maintaining that the action was executed to block an incoming Iranian aircraft.
In response, Houthi units fired retaliatory missiles into southwestern Saudi Arabia, targeting areas adjacent to Abha Airport.