Allies unite behind Saudi Arabia as Houthis step up attacks - Reuters

Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan have convened an urgent, high-level meeting under the framework of the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement to discuss strategies for supporting the kingdom against escalating attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels. The meeting, attended by the foreign ministers of the three nations, resulted in a formal condemnation of strikes targeting the holy city of Mecca and other civilian sites.

The Houthis, who are aligned with Iran, have intensified their military operations, launching strikes against the Saudi-backed government in Yemen and repeatedly firing projectiles into Saudi territory. These actions have disrupted oil flows from the world’s largest energy exporter, contributing to a broader regional conflict that escalated following United States and Israeli strikes on Iran in February.

On Thursday, the Houthi movement claimed to have launched dozens of missiles and drones at various targets within Saudi Arabia. Saudi authorities reported that they successfully intercepted six ballistic missiles during the assault. In response to the threat, the kingdom issued emergency alerts for several locations, including the holy city of Mecca, the city of Jeddah, and Yanbu, which serves as the primary Saudi Red Sea oil port.

In light of the ongoing conflict, the top religious authority in Saudi Arabia issued a statement via the state news agency calling upon the kingdom’s soldiers to remain prepared to sacrifice their lives to combat the Houthi forces. The stated objective of this mobilization is to oust the group from power.

While the Houthis continue their rapid advancement, Tehran has sought to distance itself from the actions of its regional allies. The diplomatic efforts between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan represent a significant attempt to consolidate support for the kingdom as it faces sustained military pressure from the Houthi movement.