Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister warned Thursday that the Houthi threat in Yemen extends beyond its borders, as Saudi forces intercepted six ballistic missiles allegedly launched by the Iran-backed Houthis toward the kingdom. Meanwhile, Yemen’s government requested U.S. military support in its fight against the rebels during a call with President Donald Trump this week.
Saudi Arabia intercepts Houthi missiles Saudi forces said their air defenses intercepted six ballistic missiles launched by the Houthis toward the Saudi cities of Taif and Yanbu on Thursday, according to a statement cited by Reuters. The Saudi-led coalition did not immediately confirm casualties or damage. Emergency warnings were issued for areas including Jeddah and Mecca, though authorities later stated the immediate threat had passed. Yanbu, a major Red Sea oil export hub, has become a focal point amid disruptions to shipping routes.
Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister, told reporters at the UN General Assembly that the kingdom was coordinating with Washington and other international partners to address the Houthi threat. He emphasized Saudi Arabia’s self-defense capabilities while calling for a broader international response. “We are defending ourselves and responding to the attacks by the Houthis,” he said. “But this is not just about Saudi Arabia.”
Yemen seeks U.S. military support Yemen’s government, led by President Rashad al-Alimi, conveyed a request for U.S. military assistance to Trump in a call this week, according to Abdullah Al-Alimi Bawazir, vice president of the Yemeni Leadership Council. Bawazir stated that Trump understands the Houthi threat and that Yemen hopes for “more support” against the rebels. The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Bawazir clarified that Yemen is not requesting direct U.S. military intervention but seeks enhanced intelligence sharing and support to bolster Yemen’s own military capacity. “We do not ask the American soldiers to actually go into war on our behalf,” he said. “But supporting the Yemeni government and forces on the ground is indeed a guarantor to end the danger of those militias.”
Background: The Houthi conflict and regional stakes The Houthis, backed by Iran, have controlled much of Yemen’s Red Sea coast since driving the internationally recognized government out of Sanaa in 2014. The conflict has drawn in regional powers, with Saudi Arabia supporting the exiled Yemeni government against the rebels. The Houthis’ recent expansion along the Red Sea has raised concerns about threats to critical shipping routes, including the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a key chokepoint for global energy supplies.
Saudi Arabia has repeatedly accused Iran of arming and funding the Houthis, a claim denied by Tehran. The kingdom has conducted airstrikes and other military operations in Yemen, while the Houthis have launched cross-border attacks into Saudi Arabia, including missile and drone strikes. The latest interceptions underscore the ongoing volatility in the region, as international actors weigh responses to the escalating conflict.