Houthi missile strike in Saudi Arabia exposes growing regional threat, Yemen expert warns

Yemen expert Inbal Nissim-Louvton warns that the Houthis remain a major threat to Saudi Arabia and the region despite recent Saudi-backed territorial gains, following a Houthi missile strike on a terminal in Riyadh. She highlights the asymmetry favoring the Houthis and their state-like capabilities, including control over more than 50% of Yemen's population and economic infrastructure, making them a persistent challenge for Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Israel.

Yemen expert Inbal Nissim-Louvton warned that the Houthis remain a significant threat to Saudi Arabia and the broader region, despite recent territorial gains by Saudi-backed forces. Speaking to 103FM after a Houthi missile strike on a terminal in Riyadh, she described the conflict as part of a renewed civil war in Yemen following the collapse of a ceasefire. Nissim-Louvton noted that Saudi-backed forces recently regained control of the port of Mokha and Mayyun Island, but emphasized the Houthis' resilience. She highlighted an asymmetry that has historically favored the Houthis, pointing out that the group possesses state-like capabilities beyond ballistic missiles, including economic infrastructure and control over more than 50% of Yemen's population. This makes them a persistent challenge for Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Israel. She also explained that countries face limitations in striking Houthi-controlled ports, as these are essential lifelines for Yemen's civilian population, and excessive strikes risk causing a humanitarian disaster. Additionally, she noted that disruptions to maritime traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait harm Egypt and violate freedom of movement on a key trade route, calling it a headache for the international community.