Analysts Question Houthis' Ability to Sustain Multi-Front Conflict Amid Rising Regional Tensions
Experts say the Houthi movement relies heavily on Iranian support and claims a large mobilized force, while Yemen's internationally recognised government cites a 400,000-strong army, as both sides brace for possible escalation.
Yemen’s capital saw a large demonstration by Houthi supporters on Thursday, during which participants brandished weapons and accused Saudi Arabia of blocking salaries and food supplies. The same day the group announced missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia’s Abha International Airport and declared a ban on Saudi maritime navigation, signalling a new round of hostilities.
Political analyst Abdul Salam Mohammed told The Media Line that major Houthi operations, including deep-strike missions and maritime blockades, are coordinated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. He said the Houthis act as Tehran’s most loyal proxy and that attempts to open a direct Sanaa–Tehran air route are intended to advance Iran’s regional agenda.
According to a Houthi source cited by the outlet, the movement claims a registered force of more than 200,000 fighters plus an additional 250,000 personnel linked to popular mobilization formations, supported by tribal networks and staff from government institutions. The source asserted that the Houthis have unified command, an expanded missile arsenal, drones, attack-drone boats and autonomous underwater vehicles, enabling them to sustain a prolonged war of attrition.
In contrast, Abdul Wali Al-Kazmi of Yemen’s Ministry of Defense said the internationally recognised government’s forces have reached their highest level of readiness after recent reorganization, estimating a strength of about 400,000 troops backed by air support and international assistance. He noted that the government has refrained from a large-scale offensive to avoid civilian casualties and to keep the peace process viable.
Mohammed warned that continued Houthi pressure on Saudi ports and airports could force Riyadh to provide full political, military and logistical support to government forces for a decisive ground offensive toward Sanaa, potentially with U.S. backing, to curb what he described as a threat to global energy security.
The Houthis have also begun preparing civil defence measures, requiring medical staff to sign deployment pledges, training government employees in evacuation procedures, and converting public buildings into shelters in anticipation of intensified air strikes.
Both sides appear to be positioning for a potentially broader conflict as humanitarian conditions deteriorate and regional strategic calculations evolve.