Houthi capture of territory near Bab el-Mandeb Strait is a major setback for Saudi Arabia in Yemen, exposing intelligence gaps and limits of Western support.
The Houthi capture of territory overlooking the Bab el-Mandeb Strait has dealt Saudi Arabia one of its biggest setbacks in Yemen in years, exposing intelligence gaps, the collapse of Saudi-backed forces and the limits of Western military support, according to a Reuters report.
The advance along Yemen’s Red Sea coast and the capture of islands near the strategic waterway have also strengthened Iran-backed Houthi forces at a key maritime chokepoint.
Houthi Build-Up Caught Saudis ‘Off Guard’
Western, regional and Yemeni officials cited by Reuters said the setback was driven by divisions among anti-Houthi factions, a new Saudi-led command structure, limited Saudi air support and an underestimation of Houthi preparations.
One diplomat said the Houthis had quietly built a force of about 100,000 fighters. “Everyone, including the Saudis, missed this build-up and miscalculated the Houthis’ intentions,” the diplomat said.
Neil Quilliam of Chatham House described the setback as a major intelligence failure.
“They just weren’t picking up the signal. They just weren’t seeing the signs,” he said.
Yemeni political analyst Farea Al-Muslimi said: “The Saudis were caught off guard in Yemen.”
The collapse of Saudi-backed forces also left the Houthis with a large cache of US- and Saudi-supplied weapons, potentially giving the group additional military capabilities and intelligence on its opponents.
“The Yemeni government forces were like a house of cards. They didn’t resist. Completely. Completely,” said UAE-based political analyst Abdulkhaleq Abdallah.