Escalating Houthi Threats Against Saudi Arabia: Historical and Strategic Dimensions
A recent study published by the Mokha Research Center highlights the increasing threats posed by the Houthi group to Saudi Arabia. The study attributes this escalation to complex historical, sectarian, and political factors rooted in the group’s establishment by Hussein Badr al-Din al-Houthi.
Titled "Houthi Threats to Saudi Arabia: Tactical and Strategic Dimensions," the study notes that these threats have been steadily increasing from 1990 to 2025. The Houthis’ strategy heavily relies on military attacks using ballistic missiles and drones.
The study sheds light on the factors enabling the Houthis to strengthen their military capabilities. Chief among these is their geographic position, which allows them to control areas adjacent to the Saudi border, alongside their seizure of a significant stockpile of weapons following their takeover of Yemeni army camps in 2014.
Additionally, the ongoing support from Iran has provided the Houthis with advanced weapons and military expertise, significantly boosting their capabilities.
The study points out that Saudi Arabia faces growing challenges due to threats from the north, where sectarian militias operate in Iraq, and the south, where the Houthis are based in Yemen. This dual-front threat complicates Saudi Arabia’s defense strategies and increases its security pressures.
Moreover, the lack of international recognition of the Houthis as a terrorist organization has allowed the group to continue its military activities. Meanwhile, the Houthis justify their escalation against Saudi Arabia by framing its intervention in Yemen since 2015 as "aggression."
The report further highlights that the Houthis have built an advanced military force with the help of regional and international alliances, granting them the capability to directly threaten Saudi interests.
In conclusion, the researchers recommend that Saudi policymakers reassess the Houthi threats in light of recent military and political developments. They stress the importance of strengthening cooperation with active Yemeni parties to ensure regional security and safeguard Saudi Arabia’s interests.
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