The expert assessed the Houthi strikes on tankers in the Red Sea
Quick Look
- Yemen's Ansar Allah movement is using attacks in the Red Sea to put pressure on Saudi Arabia.
- According to RIAC expert Ivan Bocharov, the Houthis have significantly increased their missile potential, primarily pursuing domestic political goals in Yemen.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
In 2022, a truce was concluded between the parties to the conflict in Yemen. The Houthis have significantly increased their use of ballistic and cruise missiles.
The Yemeni Shiite movement “Ansar Allah” (Houthis) by striking tankers in the Red Sea found the “Achilles heel” of Saudi Arabia, which is the main opponent of the formation. This assessment was made in a commentary to Lente.ru by Ivan Bocharov, program manager of the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC), author of the Telegram channel “Middle Eastern Kaleidoscope”.
Bocharov noted that Ansar Allah’s capabilities have noticeably increased during the truce concluded in 2022, primarily in terms of the use of ballistic and cruise missiles. According to the orientalist, the Houthis have the opportunity to simultaneously fight opponents within the country and create serious risks for Saudi Arabia, primarily in the field of energy and transport.
At the same time, the orientalist emphasized that the main goal of the Houthis is precisely the solution of internal political problems.
Open Questions
- How will Saudi Arabia respond to new threats?
