Houthi strikes mark the end of Saudi Arabia's Yemen 'containment strategy'

Houthi strikes signify the demise of Saudi Arabia's Yemen containment strategy, according to analysts and diplomats. The kingdom's attempt to subdue the Houthis while promoting economic growth domestically is foundering, posing a significant challenge to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman since his ascent to power, as per the Middle East Eye.

A decade ago, the crown prince spearheaded the Saudi invasion, aiming to remove the Houthis from authority. However, the war turned into a costly quagmire, draining Saudi resources and inciting widespread condemnation due to its brutal bombings. Consequently, Saudi Arabia concluded a tacit cease-fire with the Houthis in 2022. Rob Geist Pinfold, an international security expert from King's College London, commented, "This is the collapse of Saudi Arabia’s containment strategy."

Geist likened Saudi Arabia's approach to the Houthis in recent years to Israel's handling of Hamas in Gaza prior to October 7, 2023. He noted that Saudi Arabia felt it had the Houthis contained, preventing them from escalating again.