12 hrs ago
Saudi Arabia Issues Broad Security Alerts After Week Of Strikes
Saudi Arabia warned people about possible security threats in several parts of the country.
The warnings included Mecca and Jeddah.
The warning in Mecca was the first one reported there during this war.
The warnings were later lifted.
Officials did not immediately say whether missiles or drones had hit anything.
Fighters called the Houthis, who are supported by Iran, have claimed attacks on Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia is also blaming another Iran-aligned group for damaging an important oil pipeline.
Fighting near Yemen's Red Sea coast could make it harder for oil and ships to move safely.
Other countries are discussing whether to help Saudi Arabia or avoid becoming more involved in the war.
Saudi Arabia issued alerts across multiple areas, including Mecca and Jeddah, after a week of attacks.
The Mecca alert was the first reported during the war in the city, which contains sacred Muslim shrines.
Iran-aligned Houthis claimed several attacks on Saudi Arabia, while Riyadh blamed an Iraqi pro-Iranian movement for a pipeline strike.
The Saudi-led coalition said Houthi attacks on Monday wounded 13 civilians, but authorities did not immediately confirm projectile impacts from Tuesday's alerts.
The Houthi advance along Yemen's Red Sea coast threatens regional security and oil exports through the East-West Pipeline and Bab el-Mandeb.
- Who
- Saudi Arabia, the Iran-aligned Houthis in Yemen, a separate pro-Iranian movement based in Iraq, and regional and international officials.
- What
- Saudi Arabia issued broad security alerts after a week of attacks, while fighting escalated along Yemen's western coast.
- Where
- The alerts covered Saudi Arabia, including Mecca and Jeddah; related fighting and attacks involved Yemen's Red Sea coast, the East-West Pipeline, and Bab el-Mandeb.
- When
- The alerts were issued on Tuesday, Sept. 15, after attacks during the preceding week.
- Why
- The alerts followed attacks attributed to Iran-aligned fighters amid renewed fighting between the Houthis and forces aligned with Yemen's internationally recognised government.
Saudi-led coalition and allies
Houthis and Iran-aligned fighters
Responsibility for attacks
Saudi-led coalition and allies
Saudi Arabia said a separate pro-Iranian movement based in Iraq was responsible for Friday's attack on the East-West Pipeline, while the Saudi-led coalition attributed Monday's attacks to the Houthis.
Houthis and Iran-aligned fighters
The Houthis announced several major attacks on Saudi Arabia and said Monday's strikes were retaliation for airstrikes on Yemen.
Military operations in Yemen
Saudi-led coalition and allies
Officials from the Saudi-backed Yemeni government said Saudi and Yemeni forces had increased airstrikes against Houthi targets to counter their advances.
Houthis and Iran-aligned fighters
The Houthis advanced along Yemen's western coast, captured the port of Mocha and an island near the Red Sea entrance, and gained effective control of almost the entire western coast, according to Yemeni officials.
Potential U.S. involvement
Saudi-led coalition and allies
Saudi Arabia has sought military support, and broader U.S. assistance could help address threats to Saudi security and global oil supplies.
Houthis and Iran-aligned fighters
The United States faces the risk that supporting Saudi Arabia would pull it into another costly theatre of war, while noninvolvement could allow further threats to the global economy.
Key facts
- Alert locations
- The warnings covered a range of Saudi territory, including Mecca and Jeddah.
- Civilian casualties
- The Saudi-led coalition said Houthi attacks on Monday wounded 13 civilians.
- East-West Pipeline
- The pipeline stretches 1,200 kilometres and links Saudi Arabia's Gulf oil fields to the Red Sea.
- Oil supply risk
- Traders said a prolonged pipeline closure could cut off as much as 4% of global oil supply.
- Oil prices
- Brent crude futures rose above $108 per barrel on Tuesday.
- International discussion
- The United Nations Security Council was scheduled to discuss the worsening Bab el-Mandeb crisis on Tuesday.
- U.S. assistance
- U.S. support for Saudi Arabia had so far been limited to intelligence aid, according to the report.
Quotes
A Yemeni official
An official from the Saudi-backed Yemeni government opposing the Houthis
“The Houthis are being put under heavy pressure. They in turn are putting more and more pressure on the Saudis, increasing their campaign of missile and drone attacks”
theprint.in
Sources
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