A military intervention by Saudi Arabia and its allies in Yemen will trigger a large-scale conflict in the region and most probably end with Riyadh's defeat, said expert on Oriental studies, Higher School of Economic pedagogue Leonid Isayev, who returned from a trip to Yemen on Wednesday.
"In my opinion, the military campaign will be absolutely unsuccessful for the Saudis. I have no faith in the ability of the Saudis to achieve something in Yemen. The Army of Saudi Arabia is really nothing: there is emptiness behind beautiful gear. This army is inferior to the Yemenis by its combat readiness. The Saudi army has never fought anyone in its history. They simply cannot do that," he told Interfax on Thursday.
The expert affirmed a high level of military training in the Yemeni army.
"It is not accidental that the army of Prophet Muhammad mostly consisted of Yemenis, the most combative Arab people who have a knack for war. Besides, the Yemeni terrain will make the hostilities challenging," he said.
In addition, the Yemeni population supports the Houthis, objects to Riyadh's intervention in internal affairs of the country, and demands a strike back.
"Protests against the Saudi intervention are underway in Sana'a and people are demanding a Yemeni invasion in Saudi Arabia. If this decision is made, it may have a strong impact on Saudi Arabia," Isayev said.

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