Archive · 16 Sep 2026
Saudi Seeks Israeli Intelligence as Houthi Attacks Intensify
Saudi Arabia is facing more attacks from the Houthi movement.
The attacks have involved missiles and drones and have affected civilians, ships, and oil facilities.
Saudi Arabia reportedly asked for intelligence help connected to Israel through the United States Central Command.
The talks were meant to help Saudi Arabia understand where Houthi forces are and what they might do next.
Saudi Arabia also asked Britain for help near an important sea passage, and Britain reportedly agreed to send advisers.
Saudi Arabia asked the United States to strike the Houthis, but Donald Trump declined.
Pakistan has said its defense agreement with Saudi Arabia is limited and does not automatically allow attacks on another country.
Reports disagree about the number of people wounded, giving figures of 13 and at least 73.
Saudi Arabia reportedly held Israel-related talks through United States Central Command for intelligence on Houthi deployments and possible operations.
The reported intelligence discussions were facilitated by United States Central Command after a meeting involving Admiral Brad Cooper and Mohammed bin Salman.
Saudi Arabia also sought British help near the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, with Britain reportedly agreeing to send military advisers but not additional assistance.
Reports described Houthi missile, drone, civilian, shipping, and oil-infrastructure attacks, though casualty figures differed between 13 and at least 73 people wounded.
Saudi Arabia sought U.S. strikes and Pakistani support, but Donald Trump declined direct strikes and Pakistan stressed limits on its defense commitments.
- Who
- Saudi Arabia, the Houthi movement, Israel, the United States, Britain, Pakistan, and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman are involved in the reported developments.
- What
- Saudi Arabia is seeking intelligence and broader military support as Houthi attacks on its territory, shipping routes, civilians, and oil infrastructure intensify.
- When
- The latest attacks and diplomatic efforts were reported after attacks earlier in the week and calls between Mohammed bin Salman and Donald Trump on Thursday; one report said the conflict had reignited in July.
- Where
- The reported activity involves southern Saudi Arabia, the Yemen-Saudi border, Saudi oil infrastructure, the Red Sea, the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, and discussions through United States Central Command.
- Why
- Saudi Arabia is seeking help to understand and counter Houthi military activity and to protect its territory, maritime routes, and oil infrastructure.
Saudi requests for broader support
Limits on direct intervention
U.S. military action
Saudi requests for broader support
Saudi Arabia reportedly urged Donald Trump to authorize American strikes against the Houthis as attacks intensified.
Limits on direct intervention
Trump reportedly declined to authorize U.S. strikes, while the United States offered intelligence and targeting information instead.
Pakistan’s defense commitment
Saudi requests for broader support
Saudi Arabia had sought greater military support from Pakistan under the recently signed Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, which had earlier been described as an “Islamic Nato” pact.
Limits on direct intervention
Pakistan stressed that the agreement was defensive, did not permit members to attack another country independently, and did not mean Pakistan was currently considering military action against the Houthis.
Israeli assistance
Saudi requests for broader support
Saudi Arabia reportedly sought Israeli intelligence to map Houthi deployments and anticipate future operations, reflecting shared security concerns involving Iran and its allies.
Limits on direct intervention
The articles describe mediated talks and intelligence assistance as reported or under discussion, while noting that Saudi Arabia and Israel do not have formal diplomatic relations and still face political obstacles to normalization.
- Reported Israeli role
- Saudi Arabia and Israel reportedly held intelligence-related talks mediated by United States Central Command; the articles describe the assistance as under discussion rather than confirming a formal public agreement.
- Intelligence objective
- Saudi Arabia reportedly sought information on Houthi military deployments and possible future operations.
- British assistance
- Britain reportedly agreed to send military advisers to Saudi Arabia but had not committed to additional military assistance.
- U.S. response
- Donald Trump reportedly declined Saudi Arabia's request for U.S. strikes, while the United States offered intelligence and targeting information.
- Casualty discrepancy
- One report said Houthi missile and drone attacks injured 13 civilians; another cited at least 73 people wounded in attacks that also targeted energy and economic facilities.
- Pakistan's position
- Pakistan's Defence Minister Khwaja Asif described the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement as defensive and said members could not independently attack another country.
- Economic and maritime concerns
- Reports linked Houthi activity around the Red Sea and Bab-el-Mandeb Strait to shipping concerns and said attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure contributed to oil prices rising above $100 per barrel.
