Former US Special Envoy for Yemen, Timothy Lundkin, stated that the Saudi-backed, internationally recognized Yemeni government recently launched a military offensive against the Houthi-controlled capital, Sana'a, aiming to reclaim territory. Territory is everything in Yemen. The Houthis essentially seek three things: territory, leverage, and legitimacy. The Houthis are a highly capable force; they "never stop," even when not fighting. They constantly replenish their stockpiles, supplies, rebuild, and redesign, thus possessing the most powerful military force of any non-state actor in the entire Middle East. They can utilize this force on land and at sea, as seen in their attacks on shipping in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. However, the Houthis are not invincible. With better organization and closer coordination with Yemeni forces on the ground, Saudi Arabia can overcome this regional threat. Saudi Arabia is attempting to demonstrate that other international actors oppose the Houthi advance and hope to see stability in Yemen, returning control to a central government recognized by almost all countries.
