Saudis believe Houthis "will collapse like the Assad regime," trained fighters from Syria - report
A newspaper affiliated with Hezbollah reviewed Saudi Arabia's moves to strengthen the forces fighting the Houthis
The Lebanese newspaper "Al-Akhbar," affiliated with Hezbollah, reported Tuesday that Saudi Arabia transferred hundreds of fighters from Syria to Yemen, as part of a plan to strengthen the forces fighting the Houthis and out of fear of a "Syrian collapse scenario" in Yemen.
Sources in Sanaa claimed that Saudi Arabia worked for over a year to strengthen Salafi factions in Yemen, and Syrian elements even participated in recent months in training the forces in Saudi Arabia before they were transferred to Yemen. It was also claimed that Turkey played a role in transferring Syrian fighters to the fronts of Marib, Al-Jawf, and Aden in Yemen.
The report comes against the backdrop of expanded fighting in Yemen. According to "Al-Akhbar," the Houthis have managed to halt the advance of Saudi-backed forces and have even taken control of additional territory in the Bab al-Mandab area. Sources in Sanaa claim that the campaign may also expand towards Marib and other areas controlled by the Saudi-backed forces.
Suggested articles
It was previously reported that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman requested military assistance from US President Donald Trump in the fight against the Houthi rebels and was rejected. Earlier, Saudi Arabia temporarily shut down the “East-West” oil pipeline after it was damaged in an airstrike.
As previously noted, over the weekend the Houthis managed to capture the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, thereby threatening global trade.