Times where President Saleh hoped Sa’ada war with Houthis could come to an end is part of history. Saleh saw new life when Saudi Arabia openly started raiding Houthis. Everyone knew Saudi was giving Yemen fund for the war, which we consider a normal thing, but no one would have imagined Saudi fighting the war for Yemen. Saleh frequently used to announce over the last three months that the war in Sa’ada would end in a couple of days, even though the war has been ongoing for more than three months now.
As soon as Saudi Arabia joined the war, Saleh decided to change his mind on ending the Sa’ada war and said “the war just started, and over the last three months, we were stretching and preparing ourselves for the real war, which began a couple of days ago”.
This is a dream come true for Saleh. The first political break he got in more than two years. The headache of the last five years has suddenly turned into the gift that Saleh always dreamed of having, making Saudi pay for its mistakes against Yemen.
Even though we respect Saudi Arabia, we cannot hide the fact that they are the main reason for the sectarian clashes in Sa’ada between Houthis, Zaidis, and the Saudi supported Wahabis.
This is Saudi Arabia’s first military operation in more than 50 years.
So Saleh, sit back, enjoy, and give Saudi Arabia the chance to show the world the strong tactics it claims to have in fighting rebels like Houthis. The Saudi army is expected to be rusty, relaxed, and not mentally prepared for the notorious Houthi rebels who have nothing to lose if they die.
Don’t be surprised this week if Houthis reveal videos showing dozens of Saudi troops dead or captured. Expect to see Saudi planes shot down as well.