did hear on the gv that a rather well off gulf state was paying the bill
I did read this too way back at the beginning of the NFZ operation, but have seen no mention anywhere since. Mind you, anyone who has dealt with the Gulf states will tell you, it takes an eternity for a promise to materialise into hard cash.
The Qataris do seem intent on re-branding themselves as the reforming moderates of the Arab world (or at least the financiers of), even attempting to dictate terms to the Yemeni regime.