US Vows Support For Saudi Arabia As Houthi Att∆cks Threaten To Engulf Middle-East
US Vows Support For Saudi Arabia As Houthi Attacks Threaten To Engulf Middle-East
Saudi Arabia carried out 32 airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen overnight into Wednesday, following Houthi attacks on Saudi cities, oil facilities and other infrastructure.
Saudi Arabia has intensified its military response against Yemen’s Houthi rebels as the United States moves to support the kingdom amid a renewed escalation that threatens to draw more countries into the conflict.
Saudi Arabia carried out 32 airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen overnight into Wednesday, following Houthi attacks on Saudi cities, oil facilities and other infrastructure.
The attacks came as Washington said it was closely monitoring the situation and maintained its defence relationship with Riyadh.
The latest Houthi attacks wounded at least 73 people in southern Saudi Arabia and caused fires at several energy facilities, according to Saudi authorities.
The Iran-backed group said it fired dozens of ballistic missiles and drones at Saudi targets, claiming the attacks were retaliation for Saudi military operations in Yemen.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington was closely watching the escalation and described the Houthis as agents and proxies of Iran.
“The United States has a very strong defensive military relationship with Saudi Arabia, and we are watching those events very closely,” Rubio said.
Saudi Arabia has also sought support from other countries as it prepares for a prolonged confrontation with the Houthis.
Riyadh had shared its military plans with the United States and other partners, while Pakistan and Turkey have indicated commitments to support Saudi Arabia if the regional conflict escalates.
Pakistan currently has military personnel in Saudi Arabia who advise, support and train Saudi forces, although Pakistani officials said that their troops were not being sent into Yemen at the moment.
Turkey and Pakistan signed a joint defence agreement with Saudi Arabia last month, raising questions over whether the pact could lead to wider military involvement if attacks on the kingdom continue.
The escalation follows the collapse of a fragile four-year pause between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis.
The conflict has intensified since July, with the Houthis also targeting Saudi-linked shipping and energy infrastructure as fighting between the group and Saudi-backed Yemeni forces has increased.
The renewed fighting has also raised concerns over the security of the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a major shipping route connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Arabia.
The Houthis are seeking greater control around the Red Sea, a development that could affect international shipping and global oil supplies if the conflict expands.
The United States has not announced that American troops will directly enter the fighting against the Houthis.
However, Washington’s continued defence commitment to Saudi Arabia, alongside the involvement of Pakistan and Turkey, could shape the next stage of the conflict as Riyadh weighs further military action against the Yemeni group.
