Jizan, Saudi Arabia (CNN)Driving out of the sleepy Saudi seaside town of Jizan at dawn, I had no idea what to expect. I'd been asking the Saudi Interior Ministry to take me there for several years. Now I was in the desert kingdom covering King Salman bin Abdulaziz's ascent to the throne, and that permission had finally come through. In the past few weeks, Houthi rebels have taken control of Yemen's capital, pushing the country ever closer to "failed state" status and giving the al Qaeda franchise there -- al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, or AQAP -- a greater foothold.
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In the past few weeks, Houthi rebels have taken control of Yemen's capital
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The move pushes country closer to failed state status, giving al Qaeda greater foothold
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Nic Robertson joins Saudi border police trying to staunch the human tide
Saudi Arabia
Saudi
Saudi
Saudi
A sprawling @placeholder village of large ornate villas came into view.
Yemen
Yemen
As we drive on, he tells us @placeholder's security is worsening and Saudi Arabia is spending almost $3 billion on beefing up border security.
Yemen
Yemen
Even from the roadside I can see tiny footpaths crisscrossing the steep terrain from @placeholder to Saudi and back.
Yemen
Yemen
Unemployment among younger people is running at 40% in @placeholder, likely higher in their villages.
Jizan
Jizan
It was already darkening as we pulled away, once again trying to set off back to @placeholder.