Saudi Arabia Seeks Israeli Aid Against Yemen's Houthis Amid Military Setbacks

International press reports indicate that Saudi Arabia, facing significant setbacks in its Yemen campaign, is considering unprecedented steps, including active engagement with Israel. Initially met with enthusiasm, the Saudi-led coalition's efforts against the Houthi rebels have faltered. After initial successes in northern Yemen, Houthi forces pushed back, consolidating their control along the Red Sea coast and strengthening their hold on territory.

This pressure appears to be pushing Saudi Arabia toward a policy shift. After three years of distancing itself from Israel and rejecting regional cooperation and normalization, the kingdom is reportedly reaching out to Jerusalem. Senior U.S. officials within the U.S. Central Command for the Middle East (CENTCOM) revealed that Saudi Arabia has approached partner nations, notably Israel, requesting assistance in its fight against the Houthis. The reports suggest Saudi Arabia is seeking intelligence on targets and preemptive launch intelligence to improve its accuracy against Houthi missile and drone attacks.

This potential move represents a significant change in Saudi conduct. For the past two years, Saudi Arabia has actively worked against the Abraham Accords, the Israeli-Emirati-Moroccan regional bloc, rather than joining it. Riyadh expelled Emirati forces from Yemen and attacked allied units, opposed international recognition of Somaliland, a move strategically beneficial to Israel, and pursued the formation of a Middle Eastern NATO, the 'MECT,' which has thus far proven largely ineffective.

It remains unclear how Israel has responded to these requests. While foreign reports suggest Israel has previously aided the Saudis in similar matters, particularly during the 2015 conflict against the Houthis, it is unlikely Israel would offer substantial support without demanding a significant price, especially after Saudi Arabia's recent actions against the Abraham Accords.