'Few cards to play': Saudi Arabia faces limited options against Houthis with allies out

Saudi Arabia finds itself in a precarious position as it faces a two-front war against the Houthis, with limited options available due to the lack of support from its allies. The kingdom has been largely insulated from the Iran war, with Saudi Aramco reporting record profits due to the East-West Pipeline bypassing the Strait of Hormuz. However, this pipeline has now been disabled by a drone attack from Iran-aligned militias in Iraq.

The Houthis have targeted Saudi Arabian cities with missiles and drones, even managing to shoot down a drone over Mecca, Islam's holiest city. While the Houthis have denied targeting Mecca, the attack has raised concerns about the legitimacy of the House of Saud. Saudi Arabia now finds itself under attack from the Houthi offensive in Yemen and missile and drone strikes at home.

The timing of the Houthi blitz is particularly challenging for Saudi Arabia, as the supply of US-made interceptors, crucial for its air defense arsenal, is running low globally. With allies unable to provide assistance, Saudi Arabia's few remaining options are increasingly limited in countering the Houthis' growing threat.