Netanyahu Seeks Saudi Arabia's OK for Israel to Join Fight Against Houthis
Translated & summarized from Cursorinfo by baba
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked Saudi Arabia for permission to join the fight against Yemen's Houthi rebels, but Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is reportedly opposed due to potential public backlash. Netanyahu also seeks to strengthen ties and advance normalization talks. The Houthis have recently advanced in Yemen and attacked Saudi Arabia, including strikes on Riyadh's airport that caused casualties. Netanyahu condemned the airport attack and offered condolences.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu seeks Saudi Arabia's permission for Israel to join the fight against Houthis in Yemen.
- Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman opposes Israeli military involvement due to potential public reaction.
- Netanyahu's request aims to strengthen ties with Saudi Arabia and advance normalization talks.
- Houthi rebels have advanced in Yemen and conducted deadly attacks on Saudi Arabia's Riyadh airport.
- Netanyahu condemned the Houthi airport attack and offered condolences to Saudi Arabia.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has requested Saudi Arabia's permission for Israel to join the fight against the Houthi rebels in Yemen, according to a diplomatic source cited by Haaretz. However, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is reportedly against the idea, fearing a negative reaction from the Saudi population.
Netanyahu is reportedly making this request to Saudi Arabia through intermediaries in the United States. Beyond seeking military involvement against the Houthis, the Israeli prime minister also aims to strengthen ties with Riyadh and pave the way for a future normalization agreement between the two countries. This effort comes amid ongoing US promotion of normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel, building on the Abraham Accords. The late US Senator Lindsey Graham was also involved in efforts to establish such an agreement as part of a new Middle East political order post-conflict with Iran.
Saudi Arabia's official stance is that normalization with Israel is contingent on significant progress toward the establishment of a Palestinian state. Despite this, a normalization deal with Saudi Arabia appeared close in the fall of 2023, which reportedly influenced Netanyahu's decision to avoid escalating the conflict with Hamas prior to the October 7th attack.
Meanwhile, the situation in Yemen has seen Houthi advances along the Red Sea coast, including the capture of the strategic port city of Mokha and control over the Bab el-Mandeb strait, a critical global trade route. Forces loyal to Yemen's internationally recognized government, supported by a Saudi-led coalition, have launched a counter-offensive, recapturing Mokha.
In recent days, Houthis have attacked Saudi Arabia multiple times, including strikes on Riyadh's international airport. A ballistic missile attack on Saturday killed at least 12 people and injured 309, while another attack on Sunday resulted in one death and 11 injuries. Following the Saturday attack, Netanyahu expressed condolences to Saudi Arabia via X, condemning the "terrible terrorist act."
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