DID Press: French newspaper Le Figaro has reported that Saudi Arabia is facing growing pressure from Ansar Allah in Yemen while receiving less military and strategic support from some of its regional and international partners.
According to the newspaper’s assessment, attacks by Ansar Allah on Saudi oil facilities and critical infrastructure, combined with a reduced U.S. military presence and the United Arab Emirates’ shifting priorities, have left Riyadh with fewer options for responding to threats from Yemen.
Le Figaro reportedly also highlighted recent advances by Ansar Allah toward the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a strategically important maritime chokepoint, and increasing military pressure on Saudi Arabia.
Recent reporting by Reuters has similarly described major territorial gains by Ansar Allah near Bab al-Mandab and a weakening of Saudi-backed forces, while the Associated Press reported that Riyadh has been seeking military assistance from regional and Western partners as its missile-defense resources come under pressure.
The developments have raised broader concerns over maritime security and energy supplies. Bab al-Mandab is a key route linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and is important to global shipping and oil transportation.
Le Figaro’s assessment comes amid a wider reassessment of Saudi Arabia’s traditional regional alliances and its reliance on external security guarantees. The extent to which those alliances can provide direct military support remains uncertain, with recent reports indicating that several countries have so far stopped short of committing forces to the conflict.