'We feel powerless,' Saudi sources reveal the extent of the Kingdom's anger toward Washington & the Houthis

Anxiety is mounting in Saudi Arabia amid the expansion of Houthi activities in the Bab al-Mandab area and attacks targeting the Kingdom. This comes amid criticism from Saudi sources close to ruling circles of what they described as a "lack of US decisiveness" in confronting the escalation.

A Saudi source close to the ruling family told the Israeli N12 website that there is "disappointment with the American position and a growing sense of helplessness." The source added that the Houthis are, in his view, exploiting Washington’s failure to take practical action to expand their influence and freedom of movement in the region.

"As long as Washington does not make a practical decision, we are paying the price on the ground," the source said.

The source indicated that the security situation facing Saudi Arabia has become more complicated compared to the past, given the multiplicity of regional fronts, referring to Iran, Hezbollah, armed factions in Iraq, and the Houthis in Yemen, in addition to what he described as “Iranian interventions and the Muslim Brotherhood” in Sudan.

These developments are reflected in Saudi Arabia’s security and the movement of transport and shipping linked to the Red Sea, considering that the Kingdom is now facing pressure from several directions. This, in the source's view, necessitates a "repositioning" by Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states.

Saudi concern after sirens sound in Mecca

The source also referred to the sirens that sounded in Mecca, considering that the recent developments, he says, confirm that the ongoing conflict is not related to a religious war, as he said, but rather to a struggle for influence and control in the region.

He added that attention is turning to the period following the US midterm elections, amid expectations that Washington will make a decision regarding the course of the war and how to deal with regional developments.

Criticism for Trump’s refusal to support joint operations

In the same context, another Saudi source told N12 that there is a state of "anxiety and anger" due to US President Donald Trump's refusal to provide additional support. He pointed out that cooperation between the parties has recently seen some development, but the main disagreement, according to him, lies in carrying out joint military strikes.

The source also criticized the situation of the regional alliance, saying that Pakistan and Turkey have offered nothing but statements while focusing on arms deals. He added that this led to a "feeling of abandonment" and pushed Riyadh to explore new ways to secure the Red Sea.

Nevertheless, the source confirmed that consultations are still ongoing with Egypt and other parties, but said that so far no clear practical plan has crystallized for carrying out joint action in the Red Sea or dealing with the situation in Bab al-Mandeb, describing the scene from the Saudi perspective as "extremely chaotic."