Yemen Houthi rebels advance despite Saudi-led air strikes

[Bosonic]

Source: Reuters

Yemen's Houthi rebels made broad gains in the country's south and east on Friday despite a second day of Saudi-led air strikes meant to check the Iranian-backed militia's efforts to overthrow President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.

Shi'ite Muslim Houthi fighters and allied army units gained their first foothold on Yemen's Arabian Sea coast by seizing the port of Shaqra 100km (60 miles) east of Aden, residents told Reuters.

Explosions and crackles of small gunfire rang out across Aden late on Friday as Houthis made a push on the southern port city's airport, a witness said.

The advances threaten Hadi's last refuge in Yemen and potentially undermine the air campaign to support him.

Read more: http://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/03/27/uk-yemen-security-idUKKBN0ML0YM20150327

[Fred Sanders]

1. Allied army units, meaning units that deserted Hadi, himself allowed flee from Aden, but supported by Saudi?

What does "no defined boundary mean" on a political map?

[roamer65]

2. The boundary won't matter in a few days.

If the rebels are still advancing, the Egyptian and Saudi ground forces are going to invade.

Yemen will soon be a Saudi protectorate.

[riderinthestorm]

3. I dunno about that. This is the beginning of the latest Sunni/Shia war

Iran is no small player in this - they've managed to keep Assad in power this long despite long odds.

They know that demonstrating maximum force here at the beginning will be crucial and that any defeat means annihilation and near genocide.

[NickB79]

4. Iran vs. Saudi Arabia. This has the potential to escalate quickly

Good thing neither country has nukes (as far as we know).

[madokie]

5. I'd bet good money that SA does

if I was a betting man that is

[roamer65]

6. They bankrolled AQ Khan's Pakistani Nuclear program.

The KSA has nukes.