The rapid capture of strategic areas in southwestern Yemen by Ansarullah forces has exposed the unity, commitment and battlefield leadership of the Yemeni resistance movement, while Saudi-backed forces have struggled to maintain their positions, according to Hakim Almasmari, founder and former editor of the Yemen Post.
“The Houthis are one united front whereas the internationally recognized government forces are under eight different leaderships, so you can’t unite and expect cooperation and coordination,” he told Al Jazeera.
Almasmari said the rapid withdrawal of Saudi-backed troops from strategically important areas was largely driven by the failure of senior military commanders to lead their forces from the front lines.
“The Houthi leadership was on the ground in the west coast sea line; they were fighting on the front lines. That was not the case when it comes to the Saudi allies. They were nowhere to be seen on the front lines. So that was one of the main reasons. You can’t expect people or troops to sacrifice their lives if the leaders are not there with them.”
Meanwhile, Ansarullah forces have captured the entire Red Sea coastline of Yemen, advancing to the strategically critical Bab al-Mandeb shipping gateway as their rapid offensive continued on Friday.
On Thursday, Ansarullah forces seized the port city of Mocha, delivering a major blow to the Yemen’s ousted government backed by neighboring Saudi Arabia.
Analysts have described the advances as the most significant regional development since the United States and Israeli regime declared war on Iran in February.
The advances could also pose a major challenge to Saudi Arabia and its oil exports, as Ansarullah forces have gained firmer control over the Bab al-Mandeb waterway.
The resistance group declared a blockade of Saudi-flagged ships in the Red Sea earlier in the year, while Riyadh has increasingly relied on the waterway for oil exports following blockades of the Strait of Hormuz at the entrance to the Persian Gulf, experts say.