Ali Sadrzadeh, a Middle East issues analyst, said that the advance of the official Yemeni government forces, supported by Saudi Arabia, shows that Riyadh and Abu Dhabi have concluded that airstrikes alone are not enough to push back the Houthis, and that ground operations play a decisive role.

He added that control of Bab al-Mandeb and Taiz is strategically important for logistical routes and Saudi oil exports. According to Sadrzadeh, Pakistan and Turkey will likely help Saudi Arabia with military and logistical support, but their direct entry into the war in Yemen is unlikely.