Key Takeaways
- Houthi attacks on Saudi cities have escalated, forcing Saudi Arabia to reconsider its regional strategy.
- Saudi Arabia is seeking additional military assistance from various countries but may turn to Israel for help.
- The 2026 Defense Pact with Pakistan and Turkey is currently off the table, leaving Saudi Arabia in a difficult position.
Saudi Arabia is facing a significant security crisis as Houthi attacks have reached its cities, including Riyadh, Jeddah, and Taif. The latest strikes have raised concerns over the safety of oil-export routes and the capital’s airport.
On September 19, Saudi authorities issued the first aerial threat alert for Riyadh since the Houthi strikes began, with explosions reported near the airport. This marks a new level of threat to the kingdom’s capital.
The Saudi regime is now under pressure to find new defense partners, as the Makkah Defense Pact with Pakistan and Turkey is currently unfeasible. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is reportedly considering the possibility of accepting Israeli security cooperation to address the crisis.
Saudi Arabia has been seeking additional military assistance from countries like Pakistan, Egypt, France, and Britain, but none have committed to direct intervention so far.
Israeli officials are reportedly using the Houthi threat to push for expanded influence near Riyadh, despite Saudi Arabia’s public stance on normalization with Israel, which is conditioned on meaningful progress toward Palestinian statehood.
The Houthi presence in Yemen, particularly the capture of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, has created a strategic problem for Saudi Arabia, as it blocks Hormuz at the other end, affecting Red Sea shipping.
If Houthi attacks continue to threaten Saudi cities, airports, oil infrastructure, and Red Sea shipping, Riyadh may eventually face a choice between maintaining political distance from Israel and accepting deeper Israeli security cooperation.
The 2026 Defense Pact with Pakistan and Turkey is currently off the table, leaving Saudi Arabia in a difficult position. The kingdom’s new defense relationship with these countries is entering its first and arguably final strategic test.
The issue is no longer just about Yemen; it is about Saudi Arabia’s ability to secure itself. If the Houthi presence continues to grow, Israel may increasingly become part of the kingdom’s security calculus.
