“against any foe they are a more equal match too, like Iran”
As I said: “against any foe they are a more equal match too, like Iran”, which Yemen is not.
Saudi Arabia has the 3rd largest defense budget.
And no; they are not getting their butts kicked in Yemen. Their air forces are doing massive damage to the areas the Houthi count as strongholds, making it impossible for the Houthi to get control of all of Yemen.
But the Saudis do not have to contend with a Houthi air force, nor a Houthi navy; which leaves their air forces & naval forces successful but untested against another force their equal.
Meanwhile the Saudis have the manpower for a land assault in Yemen, but don’t do it; leaving their land forces largely untested.
The Saudis are not getting their butts kicked, and while their equipment is getting tested against the Houthi, their troops are only getting tested on their handling of their equipment but not against similar & equal forces.
Meanwhile the Quds force commanders of the Mullahs have battlefield experience in Iraq and Syria.
THAT is what I meant. The Saudis are untested against an equal foe. They need to be, so their vast military budget can be prioritized to meet an actual equal foe. They need to talk to Israel when it comes to how to deal with Iran.
Good points. The Saudis will likely lead the response attack on Iran.
Their troops often lack motivation and training; particularly in readiness and unit cohesion.
Saudi Arabia may be able to dominate the skies over Yemen (not that hard when there is no opposing air force) but they are getting their butts kicked by the rebels anyway.
The fact KSA has a large defense budget just underscores how relatively weak they are against what should be an inferior armed force.
This week's attack by the Houthis on their strategic infrastructure demonstrates this perfectly...expect more of the same in the coming weeks.