Pakistan, Turkiye edge closer towards joining Saudi war against Houthis

Pakistan and Turkiye are sending their military chiefs to Riyadh for urgent talks with Saudi Arabia regarding their mutual defense agreement, prompted by escalating Houthi attacks on Saudi territory. The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, signed in August, stipulates that an attack on one signatory is an attack on all. Saudi Arabia requested this meeting to explore support under the pact following recent Houthi missile and drone strikes, including those targeting Riyadh and oil facilities. While Saudi Arabia views the crisis urgently, Pakistan and Turkiye have adopted a more cautious tone in their public statements, focusing on institutionalizing the agreement rather than explicitly mentioning the Houthi threat. Analysts suggest this caution may stem from Houthi warnings to allied nations.

In Yemen, intense fighting over strategic Red Sea coastal heights has resulted in up to 169 reported deaths in the past three days. Iran-aligned Houthi forces are battling Saudi-backed government troops, with thousands fleeing the violence. Houthi officials reported at least 118 deaths from clashes and Saudi strikes, while government sources stated 36 of their personnel were killed. This renewed conflict follows a significant Houthi offensive that secured control of much of Yemen's Red Sea coast, including the vital Bab al-Mandab strait. The fighting has exacerbated the existing humanitarian crisis, with millions requiring assistance. The G7 has called on Iran to cease arming the Houthis and urged an end to the military actions.

Yemenis are fleeing across the Red Sea to Djibouti due to an escalation in fighting between Houthi rebels and Saudi-backed forces. Over 3,000 refugees have arrived in Djibouti in recent days, with the UN estimating over 120,000 Yemenis displaced by the surge in conflict along the Red Sea coast. The Houthis advanced down the coast towards Bab al-Mandab, prompting hundreds of Saudi air strikes. The refugees stated that the bombs falling around them caused their flight, not the specific warring factions. Djibouti, situated across the water from Yemen, has stated it will not involve itself in the conflict.

Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Pakistan are planning an urgent meeting of their chiefs of staff to discuss support for Saudi Arabia under the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement. This follows a meeting between the foreign ministers of the three nations. The agreement, signed in August, stipulates that an attack on one member is an attack on all. The announcement comes amid intensified Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, including missile launches towards Taif and Yanbu, and significant fighting within Yemen that has caused widespread displacement. France has also offered defensive military support to Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud stated that the threat from Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis extends globally, particularly impacting critical shipping routes in the Red Sea. This warning came after Saudi forces intercepted six ballistic missiles launched by the Houthis towards the kingdom. Prince Faisal emphasized the need for international cooperation to address this threat, noting that while Saudi Arabia can defend itself, the responsibility lies with the entire international community. He confirmed ongoing coordination with the U.S. and other allies, despite reports that President Trump declined Saudi requests for direct military intervention against the Houthis. The Houthis' territorial advances in Yemen have heightened concerns over control of the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a vital passage for international trade and Saudi oil exports.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced on Monday that he has agreed to Saudi Arabia's request for defensive air-to-air refuelling support for a limited duration. This decision comes after the Houthis intensified their attacks on Saudi Arabia, which Riyadh views as a new front in a wider conflict that reportedly began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February. Burnham stated that this support is intended to help stabilize the wider region. He made the agreement on the advice of the defence and foreign secretaries. The Prime Minister was travelling to New York for a United Nations General Assembly meeting when he made the announcement.

The Houthis are fighting to control the Kahboub Mountains in southern Yemen, a strategic area overlooking the Bab al-Mandeb strait, a vital global shipping route. This offensive, which began after the Houthis seized much of Yemen's Red Sea coast, aims to consolidate their control and defend their newly captured territory. Experts suggest that controlling the high ground would provide defensive depth, making it harder for government forces to push back and easier for the Houthis to sustain operations in the Red Sea. While the Houthis have stated they will not target US shipping, they have attacked vessels in the past. The renewed fighting signals an end to a period of relative calm and could significantly alter the balance of power in Yemen's ongoing war.

Houthi fighters are advancing to seize strategic terrain in Yemen, potentially cutting off the Red Sea coast from Saudi-backed forces. This comes after US President Donald Trump reportedly called off planned airstrikes against the Houthis at the last minute, following a plea from Saudi Arabia. The Houthis have been rapidly gaining control of Yemen's Red Sea coast and are nearing the Bab al-Mandab strait, a crucial route for Saudi oil exports. Trump's decision to reverse course on airstrikes followed a call from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, despite previous resistance from Trump to join the conflict. The escalating fighting has displaced tens of thousands of people, and the UN reports at least 125,000 displaced since September.

Yemeni government forces and the Saudi-led coalition have intensified fighting against Houthi forces, with strikes reported around Mocha and drone attacks in Marib. The Houthis claimed to have shot down a Saudi F-15 fighter jet. Saudi Arabia has requested missile defense support from allies including France, Pakistan, Egypt, and the United Kingdom due to dwindling interceptor stocks, a situation exacerbated by the US also seeing its own interceptor supply decrease. The US reiterated its support for Yemen's internationally recognized government and confirmed its military relationship with Saudi partners. Notably, US officials also held direct talks with Houthi representatives in Oman last weekend.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, experienced its first air raid alerts since Houthi attacks escalated, with residents later receiving an all-clear after reported explosions. These attacks on Saudi oil assets have impacted global energy markets, raising fuel prices. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has requested US military action against the Houthis, but President Trump has offered intelligence and targeting support instead. The Houthis claim these actions are retaliation for Saudi airstrikes. The UN Security Council met to discuss regional stability and the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, with Yemen's government and Saudi Arabia calling for more decisive action against the Houthis.

Saudi Arabia is seeking assistance from regional and Western allies due to a depletion of its missile interceptor supplies. The kingdom has requested air defense support from France, Britain, Pakistan, and Egypt to counter missile and drone attacks from Houthi rebels and other Iran-backed groups. This appeal stems from a reduction in the United States' own interceptor stock, a key supplier to Saudi Arabia. The request comes as Saudi Arabia accused the Houthis of attempting to attack Mecca with a drone, an accusation the Houthis deny. The ongoing conflict in Yemen, described as a front in a broader Iran war, highlights Saudi Arabia's need for both military aid and secure oil exports.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is visiting Beijing for the second time since February 2026 to meet with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. These meetings occur ahead of a planned meeting between US President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, highlighting China's role as a self-proclaimed neutral party seeking an end to the US-Iran war. President Xi has promoted a four-point plan for de-escalation in the Middle East and urged BRICS nations to act as peacemakers. Araghchi will also discuss Iran's nuclear program, which the UN nuclear watchdog has referred to the UN Security Council, though China and Russia oppose new measures. The US continues to impose sanctions on Iran, targeting entities facilitating dealings with the country, including some China-linked refineries, though major Chinese banks have not been directly sanctioned. China remains Iran's largest crude oil buyer and has vowed to protect its interests.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in China on Wednesday. This meeting occurs as diplomatic efforts to de-escalate Middle East conflicts have stalled. The talks are taking place as Chinese President Xi Jinping prepares for a summit with US President Donald Trump next week, where Iran and the Strait of Hormuz are expected to be discussed. Fighting has resumed in Yemen between Iran-aligned Houthis and Yemeni government forces, as well as Saudi Arabia. A planned regional meeting involving Iran, Iraq, and Gulf Cooperation Council nations to address conflicts and the Strait of Hormuz was postponed indefinitely, reportedly due to Saudi Arabian objections.

China has stated its willingness to strengthen dialogue and cooperation with Iran and safeguard its legitimate rights and interests. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi conveyed this to his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, during a meeting in Beijing. Wang also commented that the current situation highlights flaws in the Middle East's existing security architecture, suggesting it needs reform. He encouraged Iran and the US to remain rational and restrained, urging all parties to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and prevent regional tensions from escalating to Yemen and the Red Sea. China, a major economic partner of Iran, aims to promote peace and justice in the region.

The Houthis are threatening further attacks on Saudi cities, while renewed fighting in Yemen has displaced an estimated 100,000 people, prompting the UN to warn of a humanitarian crisis. Qatar has expressed alarm over the potential Houthi control of the Bab al-Mandab strait, a crucial shipping route, warning of catastrophic global consequences. Saudi oil exports are impacted, with loadings suspended at Yanbu and the East-West pipeline closed due to Houthi attacks. The UN Security Council has called for Houthi restraint, and Iran is seeking China's involvement in resolving related disputes over the Strait of Hormuz. The US has rejected Saudi pleas for direct military involvement, while the UK is unlikely to offer direct military support without US instruction.

Saudi Arabia's East-West oil pipeline, a crucial artery bypassing the Strait of Hormuz, has been temporarily closed following drone attacks. The 1,200km pipeline, which transports approximately 4 to 5 million barrels of oil per day, links eastern oil fields to the Red Sea port of Yanbu. This shutdown, described as a precautionary measure due to damage and injuries, impacts up to 5% of global oil supply. The closure exacerbates existing disruptions to oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, which have been severely reduced due to the US-Israel war on Iran. While Saudi Arabia has some buffer from existing stocks, the prolonged closure could further deplete global inventories and potentially lead to higher oil prices.

Yemeni government forces report launching air strikes against Houthi fighters along the Red Sea coast, specifically near the port city of Mocha. These strikes targeted Houthi members and vehicles, with government forces describing the confrontation as a "battle for survival." The escalation follows the Houthis' full control of the strategic shoreline, including the city of Mocha and the island of Mayun, which secures the vital Bab al-Mandeb strait. The United Nations has reported nearly 46,000 displaced people due to the recent fighting, and the fall of Mocha has complicated aid delivery. Additionally, Saudi Arabia temporarily closed its East-West oil pipeline after a drone attack.

Houthi rebels have captured approximately 130km of Yemen's strategic Red Sea coastline, marking their most significant military achievement in years. This advance, surprising observers, has seen them seize territory previously held by Saudi-backed forces. The Houthis, supported by Iran, now control the Bab al-Mandab strait, a critical maritime passage, alongside Iran's existing influence over the Strait of Hormuz. This dual control significantly enhances Iran's leverage over global oil trade. The rebels' ability to disrupt shipping, as demonstrated previously, is now amplified by their territorial gains. While the US is concerned and increasing support for Saudi Arabia, it is reportedly seeking to avoid direct military involvement in Yemen, potentially due to the unpopularity of President Trump's war with Iran.

Houthi rebels launched an offensive on Friday for control of Yemen's coastal plains overlooking the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, escalating into a war with Saudi-backed government forces. On Tuesday, Houthi missile and drone strikes targeted four southern Saudi Arabian cities, injuring 73 civilians. Analysts suggest these strikes could be a turning point in the conflict. The Houthi air strikes are seen as a potential precursor to a conflict with Saudi Arabia over the Red Sea, occurring alongside an escalating battle between the United States and Iran for control of the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian officials and state media are celebrating the Houthi group's recent capture of Yemen's Red Sea coast, including the vital Bab al-Mandeb strait. This development is seen by some in Iran as increasing Tehran's leverage against the United States. Senior Iranian officials, including the IRGC spokesman and the Iranian parliament speaker, have praised the Houthi advances as a "divine triumph" and a result of "steadfastness." The Houthis, who have been fighting the Yemeni government since 2014, have stated that maritime navigation remains safe except for Saudi vessels. While the Houthis now control territory adjacent to the Bab al-Mandeb strait, Iranian officials have not indicated any plans to close the waterway.

Yemeni government forces and Iran-aligned Houthis are engaged in fierce battles across multiple fronts in northern, western, and central Yemen, with both sides seeking to expand their territorial control. Recent fighting has resulted in significant casualties. The Houthis are intensifying efforts to gain a foothold on the western coast, particularly near the strategic al-Makha port, aiming to influence Red Sea shipping lanes. Meanwhile, government forces are battling to expand in Taiz and reinforce their control over the oil-producing Marib region. Fighting also continues in al-Jawf and Dhalea, areas crucial for connecting Houthi-controlled north to the south. Experts suggest that gains or losses on these fronts could have significant strategic consequences for both the government and the Houthis.

Renewed fighting in Yemen has resulted in over 900 casualties and forced at least 5,000 families to flee their homes in less than a week. The conflict, which re-erupted this month between the Houthis and the internationally recognized government, has intensified significantly, particularly following the Houthis' capture of the entire Red Sea coast. Displaced families, like Aman Murshed and her five children, are struggling to find shelter and basic necessities, with many receiving no support from humanitarian organizations. The United Nations reports that displacement is rising hourly, with an estimated 46,000 people having fled their homes since the recent clashes began. These renewed hostilities have dashed hopes of return for those previously displaced, leaving them in precarious conditions with limited access to food, shelter, and essential support.

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) reports that over 46,000 people have been displaced in Yemen due to escalating fighting between Houthi rebels and government forces. This figure is reportedly rising hourly. The IOM is calling for safe humanitarian access and protection for civilians and aid workers. Many families are fleeing for the second or third time, often with few possessions, after the Houthi rebels captured the strategically important Red Sea port city of Mocha. The UN also expressed concern over the Houthis seizing a key humanitarian compound in Mocha, emphasizing the need to protect humanitarian personnel and facilities. The conflict has intensified with reports of Houthis now controlling Yemen's entire Red Sea coast.