Understanding the Houthi-Saudi Conflict and its Implications for Pakistan

From 1990 to 2013, the Houthi rebellion in Yemen led to the ouster of the Saudi-backed government. In 2013, the Houthi rebels captured Sana’a, the capital of Yemen. This was a setback for Saudi Arabia, as the Houthis were receiving support from Iran. Saudi Arabia made several attempts to re-establish its government in Sana’a but was unsuccessful. The Houthi rebels began attacking its oil facilities. A ceasefire was established in 2023, but relations have deteriorated again. Saudi Arabia has purchased weapons from the United States to deal with the Houthis. Pakistan’s involvement in this conflict is fraught with challenges. The Houthis control the Red Sea, a crucial trade route for Pakistan, with approximately 35 trillion rupees worth of trade passing through it. Confronting the Houthis could directly harm Pakistan’s trade. Pakistan is also a neighbor of Iran, which funds the Houthis. Any confrontation with the Houthis could strain relations between Iran and Pakistan, which share a border of approximately 900 km.