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ConflictsMiddle East

Why can't Saudi Arabia stop the Houthis?

08:50

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David Levitz
September 20, 2026

Yemen's Houthis are demonstrating their ability to pressure Saudi Arabia and are unlikely to be deterred by military action, says Middle East analyst Giorgio Caffiero, after a Houthi ballistic missile targeted Riyadh.

Yemen's Houthi rebels have launched a ballistic missile toward the Saudi capital, Riyadh, just days after the United States signaled it would not join any Saudi-led military campaign against the group.

Following Washington's decision, Riyadh has sought to deepen security cooperation with countries including the United Kingdom, France, Pakistan, and Egypt. But Middle East analyst Giorgio Cafiero tells DW's David Levitz that he thinks Saudi Arabia will ultimately have to make concessions to the Houthis to guarantee stability.

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