Israel's Intelligence and Counter-Houthi Expertise Could Aid Saudi Arabia

Israel has developed a unique intelligence and counter-Houthi system over the past three years that could become a strategic asset for Saudi Arabia and other regional players, according to military correspondent Avi Ashkenazi of the newspaper "Maariv." Following the October 7, 2023, attacks, the Houthis opened a new front against Israel, prompting a reassessment of the threat from Yemen.

Previously, the Houthis were not a primary focus for Israeli intelligence, as their main adversaries were Saudi Arabia and the Yemeni central government. Israel's initial challenge was establishing specialized intelligence infrastructure, facing a shortage of personnel familiar with Yemeni language, culture, and societal nuances. This led to the creation of a "Yemen Intelligence School" dedicated to monitoring and gathering information on the Houthis, which was then used to strike priority targets.

Ashkenazi emphasizes that Israel's response involved a comprehensive system integrating intelligence, defense, and offensive capabilities, rather than a single weapon. This system also analyzed the Houthis' broader capabilities, including missile and drone use, potential raids, and threats to Red Sea shipping, with particular attention paid to supply routes.

The expertise and capabilities Israel has built over three years are now of significant interest beyond its borders, especially to Saudi Arabia, which has also faced Houthi threats. This Israeli experience could be valuable for Riyadh in both intelligence gathering and countering missile and drone attacks.

Ashkenazi suggests that the primary asset is not a "secret weapon" but the accumulated knowledge: specialized intelligence, understanding of Houthi structure and capabilities, defensive systems, and the ability to strike deep within Yemen. Foreign media reports indicate that Israel and several regional states, including Saudi Arabia, are already exchanging intelligence and experience, potentially with the mediation of the U.S. Central Command.

This regional cooperation could extend beyond countering the Houthis to encompass Red Sea shipping security, oil market stability, deterring Iran, and influencing the situation on the Lebanese-Syrian front, where Saudi Arabia holds considerable sway. The article also references a previous "Cursor" report on why Saudi Arabia was left to face the Houthis alone despite its defense alliances.