Nov 02, 2026 18:08 pm IST

Opinion | Why Saudi Arabia Can't Control Houthis, Despite Its Billions In Arms

The report that the Saudis have offered $1 billion to the Houthis raises many questions

Aditi Bhaduri Aditi Bhaduri Columnist

Aditi Bhaduri Columnist

Money and muscle cannot always compete with geography - that seems to be the message coming out of Riyadh as the Saudis grapple with the proper response to the Houthi attacks on their territory. The numerous reports filtering in reflect a diverse array of initiatives and steps the kingdom is taking. This, on one hand, may mirror a multipronged approach, or, on the other, reflect confusion.

The report that the Saudis have offered $1 billion to the Houthis to stop the attacks they began launching since July this year on the Kingdom has made headlines. According to reports that appeared in the Israeli media, Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman travelled to Tehran for talks about a possible ceasefire with the Houthis. This proposal apparently involves the transfer of $1 billion to the group through Iran. Of course, Saudi authorities have not confirmed it.

The first step, however, in a coordinated policy to counter the Houthis came some months ago, when the Mecca Pact was signed in Islam's holiest city, as the nomenclature reflects, between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan. With much fanfare on Friday, the three announced the signing of the pact. The import was not lost. Saudi Arabia, the leader of the Muslim world by virtue of being home to Islam's two holiest sites, had just teamed up with two of the Sunni world's most powerful militaries. Deterrence, as all three parties to the pact took pains to point out, was the agreement's main aim. There was no........

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