Saudi Arabia urged to reconcile with UAE to drive back Houthi separatists in Yemen

Saudi Arabia is being urged to reconcile with the United Arab Emirates to form a united military alliance against the Iran-aligned Houthi separatists in Yemen. Relations between the two Gulf nations soured in January when Saudi Arabia attacked and defeated the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC), leading the UAE to withdraw from Yemen. However, recent Houthi advances, including a push towards the Bab al-Mandab strait, have transformed regional geopolitics and prompted calls for reconciliation. Meetings between Saudi and UAE officials, as well as discussions involving Israel, suggest a potential path towards cooperation. Despite the UAE's departure, some UAE-trained forces remain crucial in combating the Houthi advance, though their alignment with the STC complicates Saudi efforts to secure its border and achieve its stated goals in Yemen.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in Washington, DC, to discuss regional security cooperation. Key topics included escalating hostilities in Yemen involving Iran-backed Houthis, and ensuring shipping safety in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb strait. The diplomats also addressed security and political developments in the region, including Iran, Gaza, and Sudan. The meeting occurred amid ongoing conflict in Yemen, with the Houthis launching attacks along the Red Sea coast and striking Saudi targets. Reports suggest Saudi Arabia had sought US military assistance against the Houthis, with Washington agreeing to provide intelligence and targeting support. Both ministers emphasized continued diplomatic coordination on regional crises.

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.

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 intercepted six ballistic missiles fired by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis, targeting Taif and the Yanbu area on the Red Sea. These attacks, which the Houthis claimed were aimed at sensitive targets in Riyadh and Saudi Aramco facilities in Tanbu, caused oil prices to climb to a one-week high due to fears of supply disruptions. The escalating attacks threaten Saudi oil exports via the Red Sea, a critical route especially with disruptions elsewhere. Yemen's internationally recognized government urged world leaders for assistance, highlighting the international economic risk posed by the Houthis' control of the Bab el-Mandeb waterway. Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan will hold an urgent meeting to discuss repelling Houthi attacks under their joint defense agreement.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Houthis have escalated their military actions along Yemen's Red Sea coast, capturing key areas like Mocha, Dhubab, and Perim Island, which controls the Bab al-Mandeb strait. This move is seen as an attempt by the Houthis and Iran to gain leverage, potentially disrupting maritime corridors and serving as another front in a wider regional conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. The escalation follows a period of de facto ceasefire and peace talks, during which the Houthis reportedly consolidated their forces and expanded their capabilities, while the internationally recognized government became complacent. The Houthis are also using the conflict in Gaza as a mobilizing cause, portraying their actions as defense of Palestine. Iran's initial strategy may have been to avoid a Red Sea front, but a Saudi strike on Sanaa International Airport altered this, leading to Houthi retaliation and potentially serving Iran's interests by creating another pressure point against international shipping.

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.

Gulf states have postponed a crucial meeting with Iran concerning the Strait of Hormuz due to a lack of Arab consensus and escalating Saudi anger over Iran's support for Houthi rebels in Yemen. This delay coincides with intensified Houthi missile and drone attacks on Saudi military targets, including King Khalid airbase, and a recent drone attack that shut down Saudi Arabia's east-west oil pipeline. The Houthi seizure of Yemen's Bab al-Mandab strait, another vital waterway, along with the pipeline closure and meeting postponement, contributed to a rise in oil prices. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held discussions with the US CENTCOM chief regarding regional developments. The postponed meeting aimed to discuss a temporary shipping route, but Iran has set preconditions for any agreement.

A planned meeting in Oman between Iran, Iraq, and GCC nations (excluding Bahrain) to discuss temporary routes through the Strait of Hormuz has been postponed. Saudi Arabia requested the postponement, citing concerns about the wording of a proposed Iran-Oman deal that could establish an unacceptable status quo. This comes amid recent drone attacks on Saudi Arabia, which the US attributes to Iran, and Houthi attacks in Yemen. Iran stated it will continue to pursue its bilateral agreement with Oman for temporary commercial vessel routes in the strait. The proposed deal involves inbound routes through Iranian waters and outbound routes mostly through Omani waters.

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with his Iranian counterpart in Beijing on Wednesday, reaffirming China's support for Iran. Wang called for a political resolution to Iran's conflict with the United States and cautioned against regional tensions escalating into Yemen. He also advocated for the prompt reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. This meeting occurred as the US expanded sanctions against Iran and threatened measures against entities supporting Tehran, including Chinese companies. The conflict is expected to be a significant topic during an upcoming summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump.

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.

China is facing an oil supply challenge due to escalating prices and disruptions to key shipping routes from the Middle East. Attacks on a pipeline to the Red Sea and ongoing issues in the Strait of Hormuz, exacerbated by regional conflicts and US sanctions on Iran, have complicated access to Middle Eastern, Russian, and Iranian crude. Consequently, Chinese refiners are increasingly seeking alternative supplies globally, which is contributing to price hikes both domestically and internationally. While China previously used its vast reserves to absorb initial supply shocks, these buffers are diminishing as refiners increase processing and aim to rebuild inventories. Russia remains China's largest supplier, with overland and Pacific coast routes offering less disrupted access.

Oil prices have surged above $108 a barrel following drone attacks launched from Iraq that forced Saudi Arabia to close its east-west crude pipeline. This closure threatens to deplete Saudi oil export stocks within days, impacting approximately 4% of global supply. The attacks, attributed by US President Donald Trump to Iran, occurred amidst escalating tensions in the Middle East, including Houthi forces capturing the Bab al-Mandab strait. In response to these disruptions, AI industry leaders are calling for a slowdown in "reckless" AI development, proposing safety standards and international coordination. Separately, a report by B'Tselem accuses Israel of systematically eliminating conditions for Palestinian collective life in the West Bank.

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.

Yemeni Houthi rebels have seized the key port of Mocha, intensifying fighting along the Red Sea coast. This move is seen as an attempt to gain control of the Bab al-Mandeb strait, a vital shipping chokepoint, potentially bringing Iran and its proxies closer to controlling two major maritime routes. The Houthis aim to pressure Saudi Arabia and the US into lifting the blockade on Iranian oil tankers. This escalation, the most serious since a 2022 ceasefire, has resulted in significant casualties and the opening of new fronts. Saudi Arabia has responded with airstrikes, while the Yemeni government forces have admitted to strategic retreats. Observers believe a reduction in hostilities is unlikely as both sides escalate their efforts.

Houthi forces have captured the Yemeni port city of Mocha following an offensive that involved pressure from three axes and the withdrawal of National Resistance Forces. This seizure, occurring on Thursday, threatens global trade routes by controlling access near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a critical passage for energy and commodities. The conflict has also led to the displacement of thousands of civilians and severed vital supply lines for anti-Houthi forces. The fall of Mocha, which was the last harbor fully controlled by the internationally recognized government, is considered a significant turning point in the war, with international bodies expressing alarm.

Saudi Arabia is urging the United States to take direct military action against Iran-backed Houthis following their seizure of key positions along Yemen's Bab al-Mandab Strait. This strategic waterway is a critical global shipping choke point. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly discussed the escalating situation with President Donald Trump, who stated Washington would provide intelligence and targeting support but not direct military action for now. U.S. Central Command commander Adm. Brad Cooper traveled to Saudi Arabia for coordination talks. Experts suggest Iran is leveraging the Houthi advance to regain maritime leverage as pressure on the Strait of Hormuz intensifies. The Houthis' recent gains, including the port of Mocha and the island of Mayyun, follow years of rebuilding military strength since a 2022 truce.

Saudi Arabia has shut down a key oil pipeline following a drone attack launched from Iraq. The attack originated from the Maysan governorate, a region bordering Iran. In response, Iraq has removed its operations commander in Maysan and initiated investigations into the incident. Saudi Arabia stated it reserves the right to take necessary measures to protect its sovereignty and security. The Gulf Co-operation Council condemned the attack as a dangerous escalation and a violation of international law. The article also notes recent Houthi advances in Yemen, with the group claiming control of the Bab al-Mandab Strait, though stating maritime navigation is safe except for Saudi vessels.

Saudi Arabia reported that its East-West oil pipeline was struck by drones originating from Iraq, causing injuries and material damage in the Riyadh and Medina regions. In response, Saudi Arabia has temporarily halted operations of the pipeline as a precautionary measure. The Kingdom has stated it will not retaliate at this time, following a request from Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, who has ordered an investigation into those responsible for the attack. Iraq has condemned the drone strike, affirming its rejection of any aggression that threatens Saudi security and stability. Saudi Arabia reserves the right to take necessary measures to protect its sovereignty and critical facilities.

Saudi Arabia has shut down its East-West oil pipeline following a drone attack. The attack, according to Riyadh, originated in Iraq. This action has led to the closure of a critical oil transportation route for the kingdom. The specific timing of the attack is not detailed, but the consequence is the immediate cessation of operations on the East-West pipeline. The article does not provide further details on the extent of the damage or the specific targets within the pipeline.