“We may see them go on the ground,” Ayotte said of Saudi Arabia’s military operations in Yemen. “If they go on the ground, then they can more effectively execute additional airstrikes.”
Putting in place a ground presence will improve the accuracy of the airstrikes, particularly around population centers, Ayotte explained.
On Wednesday, Saudi Arabia announced a launch of a military operation against the Houthis, who currently control large parts of Yemen, including the capital Sanaa. Houthi militants have reportedly captured large stocks of weaponry from Yemen military sites.
“You get to a point where you can only do so much with airstrikes alone,” she added.
Ayotte also noted the quick response by the Arab nations in forming the coalition that was determined to succeed against Yemen's Houthi rebels.
“I don’t think you'd see all these countries joining together in this coalition if they weren’t prepared to see it through,” Ayotte concluded.
