Houthi strikes on Saudi Arabia show the Yemeni rebels' growing strength

Houthi rebels backed by Iran have demonstrated expanding military capability with repeated attacks on Saudi Arabia’s main international airport in Riyadh and moves to seize territory inside Yemen near a key shipping chokepoint, according to the report. The Saudis have struggled to counter the latest wave even with U.S.-supplied arms, and a senior Saudi diplomat said Iran encouraged escalation and that the Houthis rejected a negotiation offer over the summer. The article describes how the Houthis operate from mountainous terrain, where they can disperse forces, threaten oil facilities and trade routes, and use ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, drones, anti-ship weapons, and naval drones. It cites U.N. experts alleging Chinese-sourced missile components and estimates of large fighter growth.