Mohammed Bashah, founder and analyst at independent risk consultancy Basha Report, said Saudi Arabia is facing increasing pressure to launch a larger-scale military operation against the Houthis, but any action will still rely heavily on ground forces. Although the Saudi-led coalition has not officially acknowledged carrying out airstrikes, “it’s safe to say that Saudi Arabia is providing air support.” But air power alone is not enough. Bashah stated, “Aircraft and firepower can suppress and slow the Houthis’ advance, but what really matters is the ground forces. Not firepower, not air power.” Bashah expects the United States will not directly intervene in the fighting. Regarding the US position, he said, “The United States is not at war with the Houthis, and the Houthis are not at war with the United States.” He added that Washington can still support any future Saudi actions through “intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, intelligence sharing, aerial refueling, logistics, and military advice.” Regarding the Houthis’ ambitions, he said, “The Houthis will do everything they can to take over the entire country.” He predicts that neither side will collapse quickly, but rather it will become a “protracted conflict,” more similar to the situation in Sudan, where both sides will eventually be forced to negotiate.
