Houthis Exploit Saudi Weakness Amid Shifting Alliances
The Houthi movement in Yemen is intensifying its attacks on Saudi Arabia, exploiting perceived weaknesses in the kingdom's security and diplomatic standing. Dr. Michal Yaari, an expert on Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, explained in an interview with Arutz 7 that these attacks are not new, recalling a significant 2019 strike on Saudi oil fields that caused substantial damage. She noted that then, as now, Saudi Arabia felt abandoned by its allies, particularly the United States under the Trump administration.
Yaari emphasized that the conflict is a long-standing one, and the Houthi movement, while receiving support from Iran, operates based on its own interests, which do not always align perfectly with Tehran's. The primary concern for Saudi Arabia, she stated, is a protracted war of attrition with the Houthis, which could lead to prolonged suffering for all parties involved.
The current situation highlights Saudi Arabia's strategic dilemma: its reliance on the U.S. as a key regional partner has diminished, despite significant Saudi investments in the American economy and defense sector. Furthermore, recent security pacts with Pakistan and Turkey have not yielded tangible military support during times of distress, as both nations interpret their commitments differently.
While Israel could theoretically be an option for support, Saudi Arabia prefers to maintain discretion due to Israeli policies affecting Palestinians, thus avoiding overt normalization. Yaari pointed out that this predicament is shared by other pragmatic states like the UAE, which have invested heavily in advanced military capabilities but find themselves isolated when tested.
The Houthis are capitalizing on this perceived vulnerability, targeting Saudi Arabia's oil infrastructure, a critical weak point. Yaari warned that such attacks could disrupt vital shipping lanes like the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb, potentially impacting Egypt's economy via the Suez Canal and destabilizing the region, which could have negative implications for Israel.
