3 weeks ago
Saudi Arabia braces for multiple coordinated attacks, officials report
Saudi Arabia thinks some groups might attack it very soon.
The attackers could be the Houthis in Yemen, fighters in Iraq, and Iran's Revolutionary Guard, according to Saudi officials.
Officials say they have reports from spies and other countries about planned attacks.
Saudi Arabia says it wants peace and has been trying to calm things down, but it will defend itself if attacked.
The warning came one day after the Houthis said they attacked a Saudi oil tanker in the Gulf of Aden.
To stay safe, Saudi Arabia is teaming up with friends Pakistan and Turkey.
Their leaders are meeting in Mecca on Friday to sign a big defense agreement.
The agreement includes joint military exercises, sharing technology, making weapons together, and sharing intelligence.
It is like friends promising to protect each other if someone tries to hurt them.
A Saudi official told CNN that the kingdom is bracing for "multiple coordinated attacks" by Iraqi militias working with Iran-backed Houthis, reportedly under the guidance of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The official, citing multiple intelligence reports from Saudi Arabia and regional countries, said the attacks are expected "in the very near future".
Saudi Arabia says it encourages de-escalation and negotiations but will take all necessary measures to deal with any aggression.
The warnings come a day after the Houthis claimed to have attacked a Saudi oil tanker in the Gulf of Aden.
Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey are finalising a trilateral defence agreement, with a summit set to begin Friday in Mecca.
- Who
- An anonymous Saudi official quoted by CNN, along with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir
- What
- Saudi Arabia is bracing for "multiple coordinated attacks" by Iraqi militias and Iran-backed Houthis, reportedly guided by Iran's IRGC, while finalising a trilateral defence agreement with Turkey and Pakistan
- Where
- Saudi Arabia and the wider West Asia region; the summit is set for Mecca, and the tanker attack was in the Gulf of Aden
- When
- The reports emerged ahead of the Turkish-Saudi-Pakistani summit beginning Friday, a day after the Houthis claimed an attack on a Saudi oil tanker
- Why
- Intelligence reports suggest planned attacks under IRGC guidance even as Saudi Arabia encourages de-escalation; the kingdom says it will take all necessary measures to deal with any aggression
Key facts
- Reported threat
- Multiple coordinated attacks by Iraqi militias and Iran-backed Houthis, guided by Iran's IRGC
- Source
- Anonymous Saudi official citing intelligence reports, quoted by CNN
- Timeline
- Attacks expected "in the very near future"
- Saudi response
- Will take all necessary measures to deal with any aggression
- Preceding incident
- Houthis claimed attack on a Saudi oil tanker in the Gulf of Aden
- Upcoming summit
- Turkish-Saudi-Pakistani summit in Mecca, scheduled to begin Friday
- Defence agreement scope
- Joint military exercises, technology transfers, defence-industrial production, and intelligence sharing
Quotes
Saudi official
An unnamed Saudi official who briefed CNN
““Saudi Arabia will take all necessary measures to deal with any aggression.””
firstpost.com
Sources
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