What Tom Barrack's Remarks Reveal About US Policy in the Middle East

US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack, who also serves as envoy to Iraq and Syria, addressed the Global Security Forum in Doha on October 20. He highlighted Saudi Arabia's challenging situation and suggested that Riyadh and its partners may struggle with a purely military approach. This follows Bloomberg reports that the UK plans to deploy Royal Air Force Typhoon jets to bolster Saudi defenses.

Barrack's statements reflect Washington's cautious stance on Yemen. The US has avoided direct involvement in the conflict, even as other nations consider greater roles. Egypt is exploring options to send troops in support of Saudi Arabia, while the UAE and additional partners assess their potential contributions. Separate reports have noted Israel's ongoing monitoring of Houthi threats from Yemen.

Houthis Rely on Religious Advisors for Morale

Saudi outlet Arab News reported that Yemeni government forces seized fresh positions in Taiz during intensified operations against the Houthis. Over the past day, troops conducted 1,164 strikes and neutralized around 558 militia fighters, according to a military spokesperson. The forces destroyed or damaged 135 Houthi vehicles and pieces of equipment while targeting troop concentrations, fortifications, and supply lines as part of Operation Dawn of Yemen.

UAE-based Al-Ain News detailed how the Houthis are increasingly turning to spiritual leaders to sustain their campaign. These advisors urge fighters to expect imminent miracles and victory. A source indicated that at least 10 such religious figures were sent to Mocha on the Red Sea coast to lift spirits and counter the government offensive. Six were assigned to western coastal fronts, with observers noting that Houthi leaders appear to feel mounting pressure.

Saudi Arabia Seeks to Reverse Houthi Advances

The developments offer encouragement in Riyadh, where officials favor a strategy of attrition to reclaim territory lost to the Houthis in September. The militia has prepared offensives since July with Iranian backing and has tightened its grip around Taiz. It is unclear whether the Houthis can be fully repelled, though Saudi Arabia is coordinating with Egypt, Turkey, Pakistan, the UAE, and other states for broader support.