Saudi Arabia’s top religious authority ordered troops to be prepared to sacrifice their lives in fighting the Iran-backed Houthi group, as the kingdom rallied allies following recent attacks that disrupted oil flows from the world’s largest energy exporter.
Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan announced plans for an urgent high-level military meeting under the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement to discuss support for the kingdom after Houthi strikes targeted Saudi cities, including Mecca, Jeddah, and Yanbu. Saudi authorities said they intercepted six ballistic missiles fired by Houthi forces on Thursday.
Immediate Developments
Saudi Grand Mufti Sheikh Saleh bin Fawzan Al-Fawzan issued a statement late Thursday calling on soldiers stationed at the kingdom’s borders to defend Saudi territory against Houthi attacks. The statement emphasized the religious duty to protect the nation, invoking Quranic verses and recorded sayings of the Prophet Mohammad to justify sacrifice in defense of the state. It described the assertion of Saudi-backed Yemeni government authority over the entire country as a pressing obligation.
Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan confirmed they would convene an emergency meeting of their chiefs of staff to coordinate responses under the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, which stipulates that an attack on one member constitutes an attack on all. The foreign ministers of the three countries condemned Houthi attacks on civilian sites and reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s right to self-defense.
Regional Escalation and Oil Market Impact
The latest violence follows weeks of intensified Houthi missile and drone strikes on Saudi Arabia, including attacks on critical infrastructure such as the Red Sea oil port of Yanbu. Saudi authorities reported intercepting multiple ballistic missiles, while emergency alerts were issued for Mecca, Jeddah, and Yanbu. The attacks have contributed to volatility in global oil markets, with Brent crude futures declining 1% to $93.66 per barrel and U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures dropping 0.68% to $105.86 per barrel.
Houthi forces claimed responsibility for firing dozens of missiles and drones at Saudi targets on Thursday and Friday, while Saudi Arabia reported intercepting six ballistic missiles. The escalation has raised concerns about the potential for a broader military operation by Saudi Arabia and its Yemeni allies.
Broader Context and Competing Claims
The conflict in Yemen, now in its 12th year, has seen the Saudi-backed internationally recognized Yemeni government lose control of the Bab el-Mandeb waterway to Houthi forces two weeks prior. The Bab el-Mandeb is a vital maritime chokepoint for global oil shipments. Saudi Arabia launched a military intervention in Yemen in 2015 to oust the Houthis from the capital Sanaa but has since faced a prolonged and costly stalemate.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated in an interview with Fox News that it is up to the United States to decide whether to end the seven-month war in the region, which began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February. Pezeshkian distanced Iran from direct involvement, asserting that the Houthis are responsible for their own actions and that Iran is not at war with Saudi Arabia. He added that the Houthis have their own issues separate from Tehran.
Humanitarian and Economic Concerns
The ongoing conflict has kept oil markets on edge, with analysts warning of potential disruptions to global energy supplies. The Bab el-Mandeb waterway, a critical route for approximately 10% of the world’s seaborne oil, has been a flashpoint in the conflict. The Houthi seizure of the waterway has further strained regional stability and raised questions about the feasibility of a negotiated settlement.
Saudi Arabia has framed its military actions as necessary to defend its sovereignty and restore the legitimate Yemeni government. The kingdom has also emphasized the religious and moral imperative of resisting what it describes as Iranian-backed aggression. Meanwhile, Houthi leaders have framed their attacks as retaliation against Saudi-led airstrikes and a response to the blockade of Yemen.