The Houthis' Red Sea power play

The Houthis are on the offensive in Yemen, threatening one of the world's most important maritime chokepoints and bringing the war back to Saudi Arabia's doorstep. Bill Roggio is joined by FDD research analyst and Long War Journal contributor Bridget Toomey to discuss the Iranian-backed group's renewed campaign to conquer Yemen, its advances along the Red Sea coast, and its siege of the strategic city of Taiz. They examine the battle for control of the Bab al Mandeb Strait, why the Houthis have largely refrained from attacking international shipping, and how missile and drone strikes against Saudi airports and energy infrastructure are designed to pressure Riyadh into concessions.

Bill and Bridget also assess the Saudi-led response, the divisions among Yemen's anti-Houthi forces, and the limits of international support for Saudi Arabia. While Turkey, Pakistan, and other partners have offered defensive assistance, few appear willing to confront the Houthis directly. Meanwhile, Iran's support for the Houthis and its coordination with Iraqi militias have helped transform a once-local insurgency into a regional threat. The Houthis may not be capable of destabilizing the Saudi monarchy in the near term. However, their campaign threatens Riyadh's economic ambitions and raises a larger question: Can Saudi Arabia contain an increasingly powerful enemy on its southern border without a more decisive international response?