Allies unite behind Saudi Arabia as Houthis step up attacks
USO•Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan plan an urgent meeting under a joint defence pact to discuss support for the kingdom as Houthi attacks disrupt oil flows. Saudi authorities said they intercepted six ballistic missiles.
1. Allies discuss support
Saudi, Pakistani and Turkish foreign ministers met under the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement and discussed an urgent meeting of their countries’ chiefs of staff. The pact stipulates that an attack on one party constitutes an attack on all parties, a Saudi foreign ministry statement said.
2. Missiles and warnings
The Houthis said they fired dozens of missiles and drones at Saudi targets on Thursday; Saudi authorities said they intercepted six ballistic missiles. Saudi Arabia had issued emergency alerts for areas including Mecca, Jeddah and Yanbu, and the kingdom’s top religious authority called on soldiers to be ready to die fighting the Houthis.
3. Iran and regional tensions
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said the Houthis were responsible for their own actions. Iran’s foreign minister said Tehran proposed reopening the Strait of Hormuz after seven days if its conditions were met, including an end to hostilities on all fronts and the lifting of US measures against Iran.
