Why Saudi Arabia has few options in its conflict with the Houthis
The Iran-backed Houthis’ swift advance in Yemen and attacks on Saudi Arabia have left the Gulf Arab kingdom with few options to respond, all of which carry heavy costs. The key message emanating from the kingdom is that Riyadh does not want an all-out war, experts say, but the Houthis’ emboldened behavior may nonetheless drag [...] The post Why Saudi Arabia has few options in its conflict with…
Saudi Arabia faces few viable options in its conflict with the Iran-backed Houthis, as each carries significant costs. The Gulf kingdom has refrained from launching a full-scale war, but the Houthis' gains, including the capture of strategic Perim Island and the port of Mocha, suggest a larger confrontation may be forthcoming. Experts say Saudi Arabia wants to avoid an all-out war, but the Houthis' tenacity and capabilities make it difficult to ignore.
The group's demands include an end to Saudi efforts to isolate northern Yemen, which they claim to be unjustly imposed. Despite being backed by Iran, the Houthis have their own objectives and have demonstrated a willingness to escalate the conflict. Saudi Arabia's limited options include escalating the hostilities, which could lead to a protracted war and potentially draw in Iran, compounding the situation.
However, the U.S. is unlikely to intervene militarily, given the current focus on the Hormuz crisis and the upcoming midterm elections. The Saudi crown prince had privately urged the U.S. to strike the Houthis, but President Trump declined. The U.S. has provided intelligence support to Saudi Arabia, but this assistance has been limited.
Some analysts suggest that Saudi Arabia's options are exhausted, and it may be forced to continue the fight, potentially leading to a broader regional conflict.
Written by urgent.news from KahawaTungu's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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