Saudi Arabia Faces Unprecedented Houthi Threat, Seeks Israeli Intelligence Aid

Saudi Arabia sounded widespread air raid sirens across multiple regions, including the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, on September 15th, following a series of Houthi attacks. The coalition fighting in Yemen announced that its air defenses intercepted a drone south of Mecca before it entered the city's airspace, with a spokesperson emphasizing Mecca's sanctity as a "red line." This marks the most extensive alert since recent escalations, with sirens sounding in up to six cities simultaneously, including the vital oil port of Yanbu.

Over the past week, the Houthis have intensified their assaults on Saudi Arabia, claiming responsibility for attacks on an airbase and causing civilian casualties. More significantly, Houthi forces have rapidly advanced along Yemen's western coast, capturing the strategic port of Mokha, Perim Island, and gaining control over much of the Red Sea coastline. This advance positions them to influence the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical global shipping lane, which has become increasingly important for Saudi oil exports after reduced traffic through the Strait of Hormuz due to tensions with Iran.

Adding to Saudi Arabia's challenges, a 1,200-kilometer oil pipeline, East-West, was disabled by an attack on September 12th. This pipeline is a key alternative route for Saudi oil exports. While Riyadh attributes this attack to an Iran-backed group operating from Iraq, not the Houthis, the disruption could remove up to 4% of global oil supplies if not quickly repaired. U.S. energy officials estimate the pipeline will be operational within days and are assisting Saudi Arabia in increasing oil exports via alternative routes, though the Bab el-Mandeb threat complicates these efforts.

The escalating situation in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait was discussed at the UN Security Council on September 15th. U.S. officials highlighted the threat to global energy security and international trade, urging an end to Iranian arms and funding for the Houthis. Saudi Arabia's UN envoy accused the Houthis of "militarizing international straits to blackmail the global economy."

In response to these mounting threats, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly requested military support from U.S. President Donald Trump. While U.S. assistance has so far been limited to intelligence sharing, reports indicate that Washington has relayed Saudi Arabia's request for intelligence to Israel. Israeli intelligence, gathered from its own conflict with the Houthis, is reportedly being shared with Saudi Arabia via the United States, aiming to secure shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb. U.S. Central Command officials have also proposed a joint regional mechanism to counter Houthi actions, discussed during meetings with Saudi and Egyptian leaders.