Analysis: Yemen's shifting political alliances

The Houthis have urged their supporters to protest what they call blatant Saudi aggression

For three nights, Saudi-led "Decisive Storm" air strikes have targeted Saleh-Houthi military bases and administrative compounds in Yemen in an effort to keep Aden from falling into the hands of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh and the Houthi rebels.

To many observers, the fall of Aden seemed imminent before the start of these unprecedented military strikes in Yemen. But several questions about the air strikes remain unanswered, including their possible duration, political goals, potential impacts on international and regional security, and whether they will end - once and for all - the political crisis that has gripped Yemen since 2011.
Foremost is the question of whether this military operation can break the Saleh-Houthi alliance. The immediate reactions of Houthi leaders to the Saudi-led air strikes have been resolute, expressing a strong determination to continue fighting and to make the neighbouring kingdom pay a heavy price for its actions