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Why Saudi Arabia Has Struggled to Defend Itself Against the Houthis’ Recent Attacks – WTOP News
- Despite possessing one of the world's most expensive military arsenals, Saudi Arabia appears helpless against recent barrages of missiles and drones fired by Houthi rebels from neighboring Yemen.
- The Iran-backed Houthis have transformed into a formidable force, with the United Nations estimating they recruited up to 350,000 fighters by 2024, fueled by Iranian-shared technology and asymmetric warfare tactics.
- Saudi Arabia's border with Yemen stretches more than 1,300 kilometers through rugged desert terrain, complicating interception; ongoing attacks have struck airports and killed at least 14 people.
- Former U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia Michael Ratney, an adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, called the attacks "a paradigm shift," saying the kingdom must strike back while preventing escalation.
- While Saudi Arabia recently struck defense pacts with Pakistan and Turkey, both countries appear to be limiting support; Andreas Krieg, a professor at King's College London, noted the Houthis gained expertise challenging Israel's air defenses during the Gaza conflict.
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33 Articles
Saudi Arabia has one of the most expensive and sophisticated military arsenals in the world, which includes US fighter jets, anti-missile defense systems and other cutting-edge military technology.
·Belgrade, Serbia
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In recent days, the attacks of the Houthi rebels have targeted energy infrastructure and Saudi airports, disrupting travel and paralyzing part of the country. Yet militarily superior to the Yemeni rebels, Saudi Arabia seems to be weakened by these repeated strikes, without regional assistance. The reasons for this vulnerability are analysed with our journalist Antoine Mariotti.
·Issy-les-Moulineaux, France
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Billions spent on defense did not protect Saudi Arabia from housite attacks, as reported by CNN.
Coverage Details
Total News Sources33
Leaning Left8Leaning Right4Center13Last UpdatedBias Distribution52% Center
Bias Distribution
- 52% of the sources are Center
52% Center
L 32%
C 52%
R 16%
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