Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan will hold an urgent meeting of their military chiefs to discuss support for the kingdom following escalating attacks by Yemen’s Houthi forces. The move comes as Saudi authorities intercepted six ballistic missiles fired by Houthi fighters on Friday, with emergency alerts issued for Mecca, Jeddah, and Yanbu, the main Saudi Red Sea oil port.
Saudi Arabia intercepts Houthi missiles; emergency alerts issued
Saudi Arabia’s civil defense authority confirmed it intercepted six ballistic missiles launched by Houthi forces on Friday. The attacks triggered emergency alerts in multiple cities, including Mecca, Jeddah, and Yanbu, prompting precautionary measures. The Houthis claimed responsibility for firing dozens of missiles and drones at Saudi targets, though Saudi authorities did not immediately confirm all strikes.
Military chiefs to convene under defense pact
The upcoming meeting of Saudi, Turkish, and Pakistani military chiefs will take place under the framework of the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, which stipulates that an attack on one member constitutes an attack on all. The agreement was invoked in response to the Houthi strikes, which have disrupted oil flows from Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest energy exporter. The three countries’ foreign ministers previously condemned the attacks and reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s right to self-defense.
Regional Responses and Diplomatic Shifts
Iraq suspends Iranian flights amid US pressure
Iraq joined a growing list of regional countries suspending flights to and from Iran, with state media reporting that three additional airports halted services on Friday. The move follows US pressure to enforce secondary sanctions targeting companies that do business with Iranian firms. Iran’s Supreme Leader adviser, Mohammad Mokhber, accused regional states of “alignment with America,” warning that blocking flights would isolate Iran further amid an ongoing economic crisis exacerbated by US sanctions.
Saudi Grand Mufti calls for military readiness
Saudi Arabia’s top religious authority, Grand Mufti Sheikh Saleh bin Fawzan Al-Fawzan, issued a statement urging troops to be prepared to “lay down their lives” in defense of the kingdom against the Houthis. The statement, which drew on Quranic verses and Prophetic traditions, framed the conflict as a religious and national duty. It also emphasized the need to assert the authority of the Saudi-backed Yemeni government over the entire country, a goal the Houthis have resisted since 2015.
Broader Conflict Dynamics
Iran distances itself from Houthi actions
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated in an interview that Iran is “not at war with Saudi Arabia” and that the Houthis are responsible for their own actions. He added that it is “up to the U.S.” to decide whether to end the seven-month conflict, which began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran in February. Pezeshkian’s remarks contrasted with Saudi Arabia’s religious and military rhetoric, highlighting divergent perspectives on the conflict’s scope and responsibility.
Oil markets react to escalation
Global oil markets remained volatile as the conflict intensified. Brent crude futures for November delivery fell 1% to $93.66 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate futures dropped 0.68% to $105.86 per barrel. The disruption of oil flows from Saudi Arabia, a critical energy supplier, has raised concerns about potential supply shortages and price volatility.
Background: The Yemen Conflict and Regional Tensions
The current escalation is part of a broader regional conflict that began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran in February. The violence has since spread to Lebanon, the Gulf, and Yemen, where the Houthis—backed by Iran—have launched repeated attacks on Saudi Arabia and the Saudi-backed Yemeni government. The Houthis seized control of the Bab el-Mandeb waterway two weeks prior, further straining Saudi Arabia’s strategic position. Despite diplomatic efforts during the UN General Assembly, talks have stalled, and the conflict has entered a new phase of military confrontation.