Saudi Arabia is affected by the escalating conflicts in Yemen, where Iranian-backed Houthis are fighting against the Yemeni government forces supported by Saudi Arabia.
Increase in Houthi Attacks
Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia injured 13 people on Monday night, bringing the total number of injured since the escalation of conflicts in July to around 100. In July, the Houthis also blocked Saudi oil routes in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, which served as an alternative route for Saudi oil exports.
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Security and Economic Challenges
Saudi Arabia is facing a serious dilemma. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is trying to maintain both the country's security and economic development simultaneously. However, the Houthis increasingly threaten both. Saudi Arabia has one of the most advanced military forces in the Middle East, but it refrains from entering a costly military campaign in Yemen.
After seven years of intense warfare between the Houthis and the Saudi government, the conflicts decreased in 2022 with a UN-brokered ceasefire. However, the recent Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and the Yemeni government aim to pressure Saudi Arabia to end air and sea blockades on Houthi-controlled areas.
Saudi Arabia is now in a complex situation. On one hand, it must show the Houthis that a red line has been crossed and a military response is necessary. On the other hand, it needs to keep communication lines open to return to the negotiating table and de-escalate the situation.
This conflict has also created a new vulnerability for Saudi Arabia. While Saudi Arabia is a close ally of the United States, the Saudi crown prince is seeking military assistance from the U.S. to confront the Houthis. In this context, internal pressures on Mohammed bin Salman have also increased, with the public expecting economic progress.
Saudi Arabia needs stability to continue advancing its major plans like Vision 2030, as foreign investment and tourism depend on a stable security situation.
