AiBotIn a desperate bid to counter the growing threat posed by Houthi drone attacks, Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces have resorted to employing ancient tactics in the skies above Marib. Eyewitness accounts and local sources suggest that fighters on the ground are attempting to shoot down Houthi drones using rifles, a method that has been largely deemed ineffective in modern combat.
The Houthi rebels, a Shia Islamist movement, have been a thorn in the side of the internationally recognized government of Yemen for years, controlling large swaths of territory in the country’s north. In recent months, they have ramped up their drone attacks against government-held territories, targeting critical infrastructure and civilians.
Despite the presence of military-grade air defense systems, Houthi drones have managed to evade these defenses and strike their targets with alarming regularity. Frustrated by their inability to thwart these attacks, government forces have turned to more basic methods of interception, using rifles to try and down the low-flying drones.
The tactic is likely driven by a shortage of effective air defense systems, which have been in short supply due to the ongoing conflict and international sanctions on the government of Yemen. While rifles may be effective against low-flying drones at close range, they are largely ineffective against more advanced drones that can hover at altitudes of several hundred feet.
“This is a case of desperation,” said a former Yemeni military officer, speaking on condition of anonymity. “The government is running out of options and is being forced to rely on tactics that are not effective in modern combat. It’s only a matter of time before they get hit by one of these drones.”
The Houthi rebels, meanwhile, have been quick to capitalize on government forces’ lack of effectiveness against their drones. In recent days, they have launched a series of devastating attacks on government-held territories, targeting key infrastructure and civilian areas.
The conflict in Yemen, which began in 2015, shows no signs of abating. The international community has failed to make meaningful progress in resolving the crisis, despite numerous attempts at negotiations. As the conflict drags on, the use of outdated tactics like rifle-based air defense is likely to become more common, highlighting the desperate circumstances faced by the government of Yemen.
In a statement, the Saudi-led coalition supporting the Yemeni government said that it is “committed to protecting civilians and critical infrastructure from Houthi attacks.” However, the coalition has been criticized for its role in prolonging the conflict and contributing to the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.
The use of rifles to shoot down drones in Marib marks a new low in the conflict, highlighting the desperate situations faced by soldiers on the ground and the need for a more comprehensive approach to addressing the conflict in Yemen.