Muhammad Basha, founder and analyst at independent risk consultancy Basha Report, said Saudi Arabia faces growing pressure to mount larger operations against Houthi forces, but any campaign would rely heavily on ground troops. He noted the Saudi-led coalition has not formally acknowledged air strikes but it is certain Saudi is providing air support. Air power alone will not be decisive, he said: aircraft and firepower can suppress or slow Houthi advances, but decisive effect comes from ground fo

Muhammad Basha, founder and analyst at independent risk consultancy Basha Report, said Saudi Arabia faces growing pressure to mount larger operations against Houthi forces, but any campaign would rely heavily on ground troops. He noted the Saudi-led coalition has not formally acknowledged air strikes but it is certain Saudi is providing air support. Air power alone will not be decisive, he said: aircraft and firepower can suppress or slow Houthi advances, but decisive effect comes from ground forces. Basha expects the US will not directly join combat — the US is not fighting the Houthis and the Houthis are not fighting the US — though Washington could back Saudi action with intelligence, ISR, aerial refueling, logistics and military advice. He warned the Houthis will try to seize the whole country and predicted neither side will collapse quickly, making a protracted conflict similar to Sudan more likely, with both parties ultimately forced into negotiations.