Saudi Arabia Isolated in Houthi Conflict as US Engages with Militia

Saudi Arabia is facing its biggest military setback in decades due to an offensive by the Houthi militants from northern Yemen. The Houthis seized control of the Bab al-Mandeb strait, a critical maritime route for oil tankers traveling between the Indian Ocean and European markets through the Suez Canal.

The kingdom's carefully crafted military alliances have been missing in action, leaving Saudi Arabia isolated in its effort to contain the Houthi group. The Houthis have consolidated their control over northern Yemen and strengthened their position along the Red Sea coast, putting them in a position to exploit a critical maritime route.

Riyadh had relied on its enormous financial resources and strong American support to shield itself from surrounding instability. However, Washington has shown little appetite for another foreign conflict and instead engaged with the Houthis to protect American vessels, leaving Saudi vessels exposed.

The US has approved a possible $5 billion weapons package for Riyadh, which includes more than 10,000 precision-guidance kits and thousands of bombs. Despite this, conventional capabilities have proved less suited to dealing with asymmetric warfare along narrow maritime corridors.