Report: Saudis believe Houthis will 'collapse like the Assad regime', and trained fighters from Syria

The Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar, affiliated with Hezbollah, reports that Saudi Arabia has transferred hundreds of extremist fighters from Syria to Yemen as part of strengthening forces fighting the Houthis. The move comes amid the Houthi takeover of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the expansion of fighting in Yemen.

The Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar, affiliated with Hezbollah, reported today (Tuesday) that Saudi Arabia has transferred hundreds of "extremist fighters" from Syria to Yemen, as part of a plan to bolster forces fighting the Houthis and out of fear of a "Syria collapse scenario" in Yemen. Sources in Sanaa claimed that Saudi Arabia has worked for over a year to strengthen Salafi factions in Yemen, and Syrian elements even participated in recent months in training forces in Saudi Arabia before being transferred to Yemen. It was also alleged that Turkey played a role in transferring Syrian fighters to the fronts of Marib, Al-Jawf, and Aden in Yemen. The report comes amid the expansion of fighting in Yemen. According to Al-Akhbar, the Houthis managed to halt the advance of Saudi-backed forces and even seized additional territory in the Bab el-Mandeb area. Sources in Sanaa claim the campaign may expand toward Marib and other areas under Saudi-backed control. A few days ago, it was reported that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman requested military assistance from US President Donald Trump in the fight against the Houthi rebels—and was rejected. Earlier, Saudi Arabia temporarily shut down the "East-West" oil pipeline after it was damaged in an airstrike. Over the weekend, the Houthis succeeded in capturing the Bab el-Mandeb Strait—thereby threatening global trade.