Does Saudi Arabia have any good options to deal with the Houthis? - analysis

Over the past week, Saudi Arabia has faced a surge in deadly Houthi attacks, prompting Riyadh to respond with airstrikes against the Houthis in support of the Yemeni government. Despite these efforts, Riyadh has shown reluctance to engage in a major confrontation with the rebel group. Analysts believe that Saudi Arabia currently lacks effective options to counter the Houthis.

The United States has been a key player in this situation, with its support for Saudi Arabia limited to intelligence and targeting assistance. US President Donald Trump's stance on further involvement remains unclear, creating uncertainty in US-Saudi coordination. The threat of retaliation from the Houthis if the US intervenes looms large, as their political bureau member stated that a US-led escalation would provoke a swift and painful response targeting the US and its interests in the region.

The potential for the conflict to escalate further is a concern, as Iran may deploy militias in Iraq. This could lead to renewed fighting with Iran, potentially reigniting tensions with Israel, which has previously struck the Houthis and Yemeni government forces. Saudi Arabia has previously intervened in Yemen in 2015, and Iran retaliated by attacking Saudi territory. Additionally, Israel has struck Yemen in recent years in response to Houthi attacks against its interests.

Saudi Arabia's relationship with its allies has been strained during this crisis. Turkey and Pakistan have shown interest in supporting Saudi Arabia, but Turkey is hesitant to align with Israel against Iran. While Israel has previously targeted the Houthis in Yemen, it has also attacked commercial ships linked to Israel, including the Galaxy Leader, which led to a temporary shutdown of a crucial oil pipeline.

The conflict has expanded beyond Yemen's borders, with Saudi Arabia's East-West oil pipeline attacked by drones originating in Iraq. This attack further highlighted the vulnerability of Saudi energy infrastructure to Iran-backed terrorist groups. Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince has struggled to coordinate with key allies, including the Emiratis, Israelis, and the United States, in combating the Houthi threat.

Experts, such as Thomas Juneau, a professor at the University of Ottawa, suggest that Saudi Arabia has few viable options to resolve the crisis. Military escalation is likely to continue, but it may ultimately harm Saudi Arabia more than the Houthis. Negotiations and diplomatic solutions may be necessary to break the cycle of violence and protect the broader region from the threat posed by the Houthis.