Saudi Arabia, following Houthi attacks in Yemen, has requested assistance from several of its allies. The country has specifically turned to the US, although media reports have indicated that former US President Donald Trump rejected Saudi King Mohammed bin Salman's request for direct military action against the Houthis.
Use of Advanced Military Systems
Reports indicate that American personnel are assisting Saudi Arabia in using tools for targeting that allow military officers to be aware of the battlefield situation in real-time. This system in Saudi Arabia is similar to the system known as the Maven Smart System (MSS), which the US military has also used for target identification in Iran, Iraq, and Syria.
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The MSS system is part of the advanced artificial intelligence program of the US military that was launched in 2017. This AI digital platform collects and organizes broader streams of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance data. The software identifies data patterns and potential targets such as missile launchers, tanks, or suspicious convoys.
Challenges and Concerns
Analysts have pointed out that the process of target identification using MSS may face challenges. The Houthi group typically uses ballistic missiles mounted on trucks and small drones, which may have escaped the scene before they can be targeted. Additionally, MSS performs best in relatively sparsely populated areas, and environmental factors such as dust storms and terrain changes can reduce its effectiveness.
On the other hand, there are ethical concerns regarding the reduction of target identification time. Usually, a human must verify a target identified by AI tools, but in some cases, this process is not followed. For example, in recent US attacks on Iran, MSS targeted a school in southern Iran, resulting in the deaths of nearly 200 people, mostly children.
As the war in Yemen continues and tensions rise, Saudi Arabia is expected to continue seeking to enhance its military capabilities using artificial intelligence technologies.
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