Mohammed Basha, founder and analyst at independent risk consultancy Basha Report, says the Houthi advance on Yemen's west coast reflects both their battlefield experience and the deep divisions among forces opposing them. Basha says the operation, which began on August 9 and lasted about 30 days, saw the main ground offensive begin around September 1. Houthi fighters attacked multiple fronts in small groups, using mountain routes, ambushes, and drones to suppress government positions. "They are a powerful force," he says, adding that the anti-Houthi factions have repeatedly underestimated their military capabilities. However, Basha says the biggest problem facing the internationally recognized Yemeni government is internal division. "You can't defeat the Houthis by commanding and controlling divisions, with eight armies vying for influence," he says, adding that foreign military aid can only play a limited role. "This is a conflict in Yemen, and ultimately the responsibility lies with them," Basha says. "This is not a conflict in Riyadh, nor is it a war waged by the United States."
