Houthi Red Sea advance, drone strikes leave Saudi Arabia isolated in major conflict - analysis

Saudi Arabia faces a multi-front threat as Houthi forces advance along the Red Sea coast, seizing islands near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and launching drone and missile strikes deep into the kingdom. Riyadh appears increasingly isolated, lacking major Western backing, while Iranian-backed militias in Iraq attack a key East-West pipeline. The Houthi offensive represents one of Saudi Arabia's most serious setbacks in Yemen in years, exposing weaknesses in its assessments and the command structure of Saudi-backed Yemeni forces. The Houthis maneuvered tens of thousands of fighters into position around September 8 before their offensive. Saudi-backed Yemeni forces subsequently collapsed during the offensive on the Red Sea. The Houthis have launched attacks on Saudi Arabia over the last month, and recently said they fired dozens of drones and missiles at the kingdom. The Houthis' military spokesman said strikes targeted fighter jet hangars, radars, runways, and ammunition depots at King Khalid Air Base. The article frames the situation as a strategic bind for Saudi Arabia, noting that Iran is showing it can strike elsewhere despite a US blockade. The analysis draws on historical context, including the Houthis' emergence from Yemen's Zaydi Shi'ite community, their seizure of Sanaa in 2014, and the failure of years of Saudi-led coalition airstrikes and ground fighting to dislodge them.