Saudi Arabia Asks Allies for Air Defense Support Against Houthi Attacks

Struggling against the conflicts in Yemen and missile and drone attacks launched by the Houthi movement, Saudi Arabia has been forced to ask for help from allies such as France, England, Pakistan, and Egypt after its anti-missile stockpiles ran low.

Air Defense Request from Allies

According to information provided by officials, the Saudi administration, struggling to counter missile and drone attacks, has contacted international partners to increase its defense capacity.

The depletion of stockpiles belonging to the United States, the largest arms supplier against Iran-backed groups, has also led Riyadh to seek alternative options.

Holy City Claims and Clashes

The Saudi administration announced that the Houthis attempted a drone attack toward Mecca, one of Islam's holiest cities, and described this situation as a red line.

The Houthis, meanwhile, denied allegations that they targeted Mecca, which is located quite far from the Yemeni border, and military activity in the region is reported to continue.

Critical Infrastructure and Oil Shipments

The kingdom, which holds the position of the world's largest oil exporter, is giving a challenging security struggle to protect both its military bases and strategic oil facilities.

While a critically important pipeline has been kept closed for weeks due to attacks by Iran-backed militias in Iraq, shipments in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait are also under threat.

Chance Given to Diplomacy

Regional officials state that Saudi Arabia is in a very difficult position because it has to protect all energy infrastructure across the country in addition to military facilities.

Alongside military and strategic measures, diplomatic efforts led by Oman and Egypt are also being emphasized in order to reduce the tension in Yemen and find a solution.