Failure to back Saudi Arabia may open the door for China, warns experts

Independent Women’s Forum senior fellow Qanta Ahmed addressed the recent Houthi attack in Saudi Arabia, urging Western nations to support the Kingdom and warning that failing to do so could allow rivals like China to fill the void. “So the Saudis are already conducting emphatic strikes on the Houthi strongholds in southern Yemen," Ms Ahmed told News24. “The West, the United States, Western Europe, and Australia must stand with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. “It's clear that the Houthis are aiming to down civilian infrastructure, expect strikes on commercial jets. “The US would be making a grave mistake not to increase its staunch defence of Saudi Arabia because of our 80-plus-year pact, the world's energy source and what Saudi Arabia symbolises to the Muslim world. “If we don't do it, others are going to step up, and that would mean China can exploit that vacuum.”