Saudi ambivalence to Houthis encourages terrorism

ADEN, Yemen — When the war on the Houthis erupted, Saudi Arabia was its front line. The United States saw Saudi Arabia as its ally. Even President Barack Obama supported Saudi efforts, providing U.S. intelligence and aerial refueling to support Saudi Arabia’s bombing campaign.

As the threats from Yemen grew, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates divided their roles. Saudi Arabia focused on fighting the Houthis who emanated from near the Saudi border, while the Emiratis focused on combating Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula that had established itself in southern Yemen.