Yemen's Houthis Re-emerge as Major Force Amid International Indifference

The Houthi movement in Yemen has launched a series of devastating attacks on Saudi Arabia, targeting airports and oil facilities, marking the deadliest assault on the kingdom in over a decade. Riyadh's international airport was largely shut down for a week following ballistic missile and drone strikes that killed at least 20 people and injured over 370. An Airbus belonging to Saudia airline was destroyed, and its captain was among the dead. Ten airlines suspended flights to the Saudi capital. The Houthis have declared Saudi oil facilities a "legitimate target" and recently struck an office building at the headquarters of the national oil company, Aramco, in Dhahran, causing significant damage.

This resurgence comes after a period when the Houthis appeared to be weakened by U.S. and Israeli actions, a fragile ceasefire in Gaza, and pressure on Iran. However, their comeback is attributed to a series of geopolitical decisions and the interests of other players. The article highlights a breakdown in the anti-Houthi coalition, specifically the divergence between Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The UAE's support for the Southern Transitional Council, a secessionist movement, led to a dispute with Riyadh in late 2025, culminating in Saudi airstrikes on alleged Emirati arms shipments and the subsequent withdrawal of UAE forces. This fractured the alliance against the Houthis.

Further contributing to the Houthi resurgence were their own military actions and a perceived lack of robust defense from Saudi Arabia, despite its significant military spending. The article notes that a missile alert system was reportedly silent days before the recent attacks. The Houthis are reportedly demanding billions in compensation from the Saudis and have rejected short-term ceasefire offers.

International indifference, particularly from the United States, has also played a role. Despite past U.S. airstrikes against the Houthis, President Trump reportedly refused a request from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in September to resume attacks, opting instead to meet with Houthi representatives to maintain a separate ceasefire. The U.S. administration is wary of further entanglement in foreign conflicts ahead of midterm elections.

Adding a concerning dimension, a report indicates the Houthis are attempting to manufacture their own medium-range ballistic missile using components from a Chinese supplier. This missile, a version of Iran's advanced Khaybar-Shekan, could have a range of approximately 1,900 km, potentially threatening all of Saudi Arabia and Israel. While the planning is Iranian, the parts are Chinese, and the execution is Houthi, indicating a growing self-sufficiency in arms production. China's role is complex, as it is a major customer of Saudi oil but also a supplier of components to the Houthis, even engaging in direct talks with them to ensure the passage of its oil tankers.