[Experts say Yemeni government forces are currently finding it difficult to defeat the Houthis militarily] Yasmin El-Yani, executive director of knowledge production at the Sana'a Center think tank, stated that military options against the Houthis are currently limited because most fighting is taking place in mountainous terrain that is difficult to access and control. "The main conflict is currently taking place in the high mountains of Qahbub, and once these areas are fully controlled by the Houthis, it will be very difficult to repel them." Occupying the high ground gives the Houthis a significant military advantage, allowing them to retreat from the coastal areas to the mountains and potentially return later. At present, containing the group may be more realistic than defeating it militarily.
