Houthi Attacks Disrupt Oil Infrastructure, Threaten Saudi Economic Ambitions

The ongoing conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi militia in Yemen has escalated, causing disruptions to oil infrastructure and threatening Vision 2030, a key economic project for Saudi Arabia.

Since July, the Houthis have been ramping up attacks on Saudi Arabia, firing missiles and drones over the border. This has disrupted the East-West pipeline, which was being used to transport oil after other routes became precarious due to fighting between the US, Israel, and Iran.

Experts say that the Houthis' use of missiles and drones allows them to threaten infrastructure without needing to win a conventional war, making it difficult for Saudi Arabia to defend itself.

A large-scale ground operation is needed to push the Houthis back out of areas they recently took around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, but this would be a significant undertaking for Saudi Arabia and its allies.