Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia may signal shortage of long-range weapons, analyst says

Houthi attacks on southern Saudi Arabia have continued for a second consecutive day, as Saudi-backed air strikes hit four areas in Yemen, including Taiz and Hodeidah.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, security and defence analyst Wolfgang Pusztai said the Houthis’ focus on targets near the Yemeni border suggests they may be running out of longer-range missiles and drones, partly because of the blockade of Yemeni harbours.
He said the intent is to show Saudi Arabia that “if you are fighting war in Yemen, we will bring the war back home to you”, aiming to break Riyadh’s will to sustain its campaign.
However, Pusztai doubted this would work, saying Yemen is too important to Saudi Arabia, while the Houthis are seeking control of the Red Sea coast and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
Pakistan has warned Iran to rein in the Houthis, and Pusztai noted that Pakistan has already deployed a fighter squadron, an air defence squadron and ground troops to Saudi Arabia, calling this a strong signal to both the Houthis and Tehran.
He said the Mecca Defence Pact, previously a “paper tiger” in terms of mutual defence, could now gain greater significance, while Saudi Arabia is already being drawn into a wider war in Yemen with almost full-intensity fighting that is unlikely to end soon.

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