Saudi Arabia asked Israel, through the United States, for assistance against the Houthi insurgency in Yemen, according to a report by journalist Tamir Mor.
This evening, journalist Tamir Mor reported that Saudi Arabia has requested Israeli assistance against the Houthi insurgency in Yemen, channeling the request through the United States. The report follows an earlier Zioneer dispatch at 18:46 Jerusalem time, which noted that the request was conveyed via the US Central Command (CENTCOM) and attributed to a single source. The new report, attributed to a named journalist, provides additional sourcing but the details of any potential Israeli response remain unclear.
The Zioneer has been tracking the escalation in the region over recent months. On Tuesday, Sep 8, the Houthis struck Saudi airports and refineries, wounding 73 civilians, as The Zioneer reported. On Aug 18, Houthi forces attacked the UAE, triggering emergency alerts in Dubai. In July, the US and Israel were reported to be preparing a joint military operation with Gulf states, as The Zioneer reported on Jul 25. Saudi Arabia itself signaled a possible large-scale military operation against the Houthis, as reported on Sep 12.
The request for Israeli assistance marks a significant step in Saudi-Israeli security coordination, even as no formal normalization agreement exists. The Saudi request was reportedly made through the US, reflecting the indirect channels still used between the two countries. The Houthi leadership has accused Saudi Arabia of partnering with Israel and the US, as reported on Jul 30.
It remains unconfirmed whether Israel has responded to the request or what form any assistance might take. The scope and timing of potential Israeli involvement are not yet publicly known.
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