Peloni: The Horn of Africa continues to bear the consequence of Saudi military limitations even as reports in recent days had given some hope that Saudi military challenges might be changing. The loss of Mocha however represents a high value loss to the Kingdom’s backed forces. The Saudis have an interest in returning normalcy to their sphere of influence including Yemen, but they seem to still lack the means by which to achieve such an outcome on their own or even with the threat of the still yet to be demonstrated relevance for Riyadh of their Mecca Agreement with Turkey and Pakistan. A better alliance might have been made with Israel, UAE and Somaliland all of which have a common interest with Riyadh to defeat the Houthis, but it would appear that Riyadh has more interest in seeking support from Islamists than it does in even securing its own back yard.
The advance by the Houthis was anticipated. It also appears that although the Houthis suffered some setbacks on other fronts, this offensive could have wider implications for the region.
By SETH J. FRANTZMAN | Sept 10, 2026
Saudi backed forces rejoicing over gains taking place in recent days ignores the greater challenges which face it in trying to dislodge the Houthi forces from its mountainous positions. Screengrab via Youtube.
After three days of escalating conflict in Yemen, with the Saudi-backed government making gains, the Houthis have struck the city of Mocha on the Red Sea. Their surprise advance was anticipated. Though the Houthis have suffered setbacks on other fronts, this offensive could have wider implications for the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait in the Red Sea.
Read more…
US Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism By U.S. Embassy Jerusalem – Flickr, CC BY 2.0, Link
Video Loads Below
By 
Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, U.S. president Bill Clinton, and PLO chairman Yasser Arafat. Photo by Vince Musi / The White House – gpo.gov – Archived here. Site with better credit info here., Public Domain, 
