Saudi Arabia is facing renewed attacks from the Houthi movement without substantial support from its regional allies, as the group’s strikes threaten critical infrastructure and raise concerns over global oil supplies. Despite longstanding security partnerships with the United States, Gulf states, and other regional powers, Riyadh appears increasingly isolated in confronting the Yemen-based group, which is backed by Iran.
The recent escalation has involved drone attacks targeting Saudi cities, pipelines, and refineries. However, key allies such as Turkey and Pakistan—both majority-Muslim nations with significant military capabilities and signatories to the August Mecca Agreement pledging to defend Saudi Arabia—have so far refrained from direct involvement, even following an intercepted Houthi drone near Islam’s holiest city.
Experts point to several factors underlying the reluctance of Saudi Arabia’s partners to intervene. For one, many are cautious about becoming embroiled in a broader conflict that could provoke retaliatory attacks from Iran and its proxies. Additionally, the longstanding conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis predates the recent tensions linked to Iran’s regional ambitions, framing the violence as a localized dispute rather than a component of a larger war.
Mona Yacoubian, director of the Middle East Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, explained that Gulf countries are wary of the risks associated with participating directly. “They are likely concerned about being on the receiving end of Iranian and Houthi retaliation,” she said. “They are reluctant to help at the risk of exposing their civilian and energy infrastructure to the attacks we’ve seen so far.”
Saudi Arabia’s security alliances have historically included the United States and a network of regional partners, yet current dynamics reflect a complicated calculus of risk and consequence amid a volatile regional environment. While Riyadh continues its efforts to counter the Houthi threat independently, the lack of overt military support underscores growing apprehensions among its allies over the potential for escalation.
The situation remains fluid as attacks persist and Saudi Arabia seeks to secure its borders and vital energy assets. How the regional powers respond going forward will be closely monitored, given the stakes involved in maintaining stability and safeguarding global energy flows.