Key facts
- Saudi Arabia anticipates imminent, coordinated attacks from the north and south by Iraqi militias and Yemen's Houthis, supervised by Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps.
- Intelligence reports suggest potential targets include civilian and economic infrastructure, such as energy facilities, ports, and airports.
- Observed movements of drones and missiles indicate coordinated operations from both directions.
- The planned attacks may be intended to disrupt ongoing diplomatic efforts and de-escalation in the region.
- Saudi Arabia is reportedly preparing for a major military offensive against the Houthis in central Yemen.
- A multinational maritime defense coalition is being organized to protect shipping in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab strait.
Saudi Arabia is anticipating imminent, coordinated attacks from the north and south by Iraqi militias and Yemen's Houthis, under the supervision of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, according to a senior Saudi official. Intelligence reports from Saudi Arabia, the United States, and other regional countries indicate that civilian and economic sites, including energy infrastructure, ports, and airports, could be targeted. The official noted observed movements of drones and missiles, suggesting coordinated operations from both directions.
The official stated that these threats are particularly alarming as Riyadh continues to pursue de-escalation and a negotiated settlement, suggesting the planned attacks could be intended to disrupt these diplomatic efforts. Saudi-U.S. cooperation remains high, and Saudi Arabia is prepared to respond to any aggression.
This warning follows joint strikes by Saudi Arabia and U.S. Central Command on Iran-backed groups in Iraq on July 29, after Saudi Arabia blamed them for drone attacks on its oil facilities. Iraqi militias stated they would respond to the Saudi strikes. Tensions have escalated recently, with the Iran-aligned Houthi group imposing a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea and claiming attacks on Saudi shipping and military targets, to which Saudi Arabia has responded with strikes on military sites in Yemen.
Yemeni sources believe Saudi Arabia is preparing for a major military offensive against the Houthis in central Yemen, potentially by sea and land, to break the Houthi chokehold on its oil exports. Saudi forces have reportedly withdrawn from eastern Yemen, possibly in preparation. Concurrently, Riyadh is organizing a multinational maritime defense coalition to protect shipping in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab strait, with 14 countries issuing a joint statement of support. The EU already operates a naval mission, Aspides, in the Red Sea.
The Houthis, who control Yemen's capital Sana'a and much of its Red Sea coastline, announced a blockade against Saudi ships on July 20, stating it would be lifted once Saudi Arabia lifts its blockade on Yemen. This positions the dispute as being over Yemen's future rather than directly about Iran. Saudi Arabia intervened in the Yemeni civil war in 2015 to support the country's UN-recognized government against the Houthi rebels. Cooperation between the Houthis and Iran-aligned Iraqi groups, particularly Kataib Hezbollah, has been longstanding, with a joint operations room announced in 2024.