Saudi Arabia faces Houthi attacks with limited external support
Saudi officials say the United States and regional partners are reluctant to intervene as Houthi missile strikes threaten the kingdom's infrastructure and oil supplies.
Saudi Arabia is confronting a renewed wave of Houthi missile and drone attacks on its cities, pipelines and refineries, while the United States and other Gulf allies have not committed additional military assistance. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly asked President Trump for direct intervention, but the U.S. declined to launch air strikes, citing concerns about escalating tensions with Iran and protecting American forces in the region.
Analysts note that regional partners are wary of retaliation from Iran-aligned groups and of exposing their own civilian and energy infrastructure to further attacks. Mona Yacoubian, director of the Center for Strategic and International Studies’ Middle East Program, said, "> For the Gulf allies, they are likely concerned about being on the receiving end of Iranian and Houthi retaliation. They are reluctant to help at the risk of exposing their civilian and energy infrastructure to the attacks we’ve seen so far."
Turkey and Pakistan, both signatories to the August Mecca Agreement pledging defense of Saudi Arabia, have also refrained from escalating their involvement, with Pakistan emphasizing that the current fighting is part of a pre-existing Yemeni civil war.
The Houthis have intensified strikes, including ballistic missiles near Riyadh and disruptions to the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and the Saudi East-West Pipeline, prompting a temporary rise in crude oil prices. Saudi officials have sought air-support from France, Britain, Pakistan and Egypt, while a pending U.S. sale of 48 F-35 fighter jets will not be operational for several years.
The Soufan Center, a security consultancy, warned that the perceived decline in U.S. security guarantees could pose a strategic challenge for Saudi leadership. Yacoubian added, "> We’ve seen Iran leverage peace with a cease-fire in Lebanon, and it could leverage what the Houthis are doing… and use that to seek greater concessions."