Why is it so difficult to defeat Yemen’s Houthis?

Fighting Yemen's Houthi movement has proved difficult despite years of military operations by a Saudi-led coalition that intervened in 2015. The group has maintained control over most of Yemen's population, while air strikes have failed to dislodge it.

The challenges include the country's mountainous terrain, the Houthis' use of asymmetric weapons, divisions among forces opposing them and support from Iran. Their positions near the Bab al-Mandab strait also add a maritime security dimension to the conflict, says the BBC.

Mountainous terrain gives the Houthis a defensive advantage

Houthi fighters operate across difficult mountain terrain and vast expanses of desert, using elevated positions to their advantage. Hundreds of fighters occupy high ground overlooking the Bab al-Mandab strait, a vital maritime corridor connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.

These positions complicate efforts by opposing forces to advance across the battlefield. Fighting has continued in desert areas such as Shaab-al-Jinn in Lahj governorate, where pro-government forces backed by Saudi Arabia are battling Houthi fighters.

Asymmetric weapons complicate military operations

The Houthis use a combination of conventional weapons and asymmetric tactics, including snipers, heavy artillery, ballistic missile launchers, explosive drones packed with C4 and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

This range of weapons poses different threats to forces fighting on the ground and increases the challenges of advancing through contested areas.

The group has also launched missile attacks targeting Riyadh's international airport, extending the conflict's impact beyond Yemen and disrupting transport.

Air strikes have failed to dislodge the group

A Saudi-led coalition intervened in Yemen in 2015 and carried out years of air strikes against the Houthis. Despite those operations, the group has not been dislodged.

A truce in 2022 brought a period of relative calm, but the Houthis have since grown into a stronger opponent and continue to control most of Yemen's population.

The experience highlights the limits of air power in a conflict where the opposing group maintains control on the ground and operates from difficult terrain.

Divisions among opponents weaken their campaign

The forces opposing the Houthis are not a unified military bloc. Pro-government groups form a fragile coalition backed by Saudi Arabia, with competing groups complicating efforts to coordinate military action.

The alliance has been described as a "loose – very loose – alliance". Such divisions make it more difficult to sustain a coordinated campaign against the Houthis across multiple fronts.

Iranian support adds a regional dimension

The Houthis receive support from Iran, placing the conflict within the wider regional rivalry between Tehran and Riyadh.

That backing is one factor in the group's ability to sustain its position as the war continues. Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia have also demonstrated how the conflict can affect regional security beyond Yemen's borders.

The group's positions overlooking the Bab al-Mandab strait further raise the stakes. The corridor connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and is important for maritime traffic, including global oil shipments.

The cost of continued fighting

The difficulty of defeating the Houthis has prolonged the conflict and contributed to civilian suffering. Around 200,000 Yemenis have been displaced since September, with vulnerable families sheltering in the desert without food, water or blankets.

Military hospitals in Aden have been overwhelmed by casualties, including people with gunshot wounds, severe shrapnel injuries and amputations. Medical staff have treated wounded fighters from both sides without distinction.

The combination of difficult terrain, varied weaponry, fragmented opposition and external support has allowed the Houthis to retain control despite years of military pressure. With previous air campaigns unable to dislodge the group, the conflict remains unresolved.