Saudi Arabia is facing a shortage of missile interceptors amid its ongoing conflict with Houthi rebels in Yemen and has sought assistance from regional and Western allies, according to two regional officials who spoke on condition of anonymity. The kingdom has reportedly reached out to Britain, Egypt, France, and Pakistan to provide air-defense support against missile and drone attacks launched by the Houthis and other Iran-backed groups.
The request for additional defense resources comes as the United States, Saudi Arabia’s primary arms supplier and ally, is experiencing a depletion of its own interceptor stockpiles in the context of a separate six-month conflict with Iran. While Saudi officials have yet to comment publicly on the matter, the urgency underscores the broader regional tensions fueled by Iran’s involvement.
On Wednesday, Saudi Arabia accused the Houthis of attempting a drone attack on Mecca, Islam’s holiest city. The kingdom declared Mecca a “red line” and said the attack had been intercepted. The Houthis denied any intent to target the city, which is located approximately 680 miles from Yemen’s border. Regional governments condemned the alleged attack but did not offer immediate military support.
Saudi Arabia’s strategic vulnerabilities extend beyond direct attacks on its territory. A crucial pipeline, the Saudi East-West pipeline, has reportedly been shut down for weeks following an assault by Iranian-backed militias in Iraq. The shutdown threatens the global oil supply by potentially withholding about 4% of the world’s oil production, contributing to sustained oil prices above $100 per barrel. The Houthis have also targeted Saudi infrastructure and shipping lanes along the Red Sea, particularly around islands in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical maritime chokepoint. Additionally, Iran continues to target vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, further complicating regional energy stability.
One regional official described Saudi Arabia’s position as “very difficult,” emphasizing the kingdom’s need to defend military bases, government facilities, and critical oil infrastructure simultaneously. Another official indicated that Riyadh is endeavoring to build a unified international response against the Houthis but is currently prioritizing diplomatic efforts. Oman and Egypt are reportedly leading de-escalation initiatives in Yemen. Last weekend, Oman hosted talks between U.S. and Houthi representatives aimed at addressing the conflict, though details remain scarce.
The situation also tests a recent defense agreement involving Saudi Arabia, Turkey—a NATO member—and Pakistan, a nuclear-armed country. However, officials from Turkey and Pakistan said they had not received formal requests from Saudi Arabia for military support in response to the Houthi escalation. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia, declaring the two countries stand “unwaveringly, shoulder to shoulder,” while Turkey’s foreign minister called for international attention to the conflict.
The United States has supplied billions of dollars in weaponry to Saudi Arabia and maintains a military task force focused on intelligence sharing and planning support with Saudi forces. A U.S. official noted that a recent security conference in Germany involved senior military leaders from eight countries to explore enhanced cooperation in the Middle East, though the attendees were not disclosed. Despite this support, top U.S. officials have signaled reluctance to become more deeply involved in the conflict militarily.
Meanwhile, the Houthis claimed to have shot down a Saudi-operated F-15 fighter jet over Yemen’s central Marib province, a claim that could not be independently verified.
Iran, a key backer of the Houthis, continues its diplomatic outreach, with top Iranian officials currently in China. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized the need for restraint by both the United States and Iran and expressed concern over the conflict’s expansion into Yemen and the Red Sea. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Tehran seeks to restore calm and maintain friendly relations with its neighbors.