Saudi asks Israel for help as ally Pak abandons
Israel-Saudi talks focus on intelligence assistance Live Events Houthi attacks raise pressure on Riyadh Saudi Arabia seeks assistance from other countries Pakistan rules out fighting
Israel-Saudi talks focus on intelligence assistance Live Events Houthi attacks raise pressure on Riyadh Saudi Arabia seeks assistance from other countries Pakistan rules out fighting Houthis in Yemen Saudi-Israel security ties remain separate from normalisation as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Addas a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now! (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Saudi Arabia has indirectly reached out to Israel for intelligence assistance against the Houthis through US Central Command, despite Riyadh not recognising Israel or maintaining diplomatic relations with it, as per a report by The Jerusalem Post. The move comes as Houthi forces intensify attacks on Saudi targets and impose maritime restrictions that have created an economic threat around the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab, while Pakistan, despite being part of the new Mecca Joint Defence Agreement with Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, has not committed to immediate military action against the Houthis.The Israel-Saudi discussions, mediated by CENTCOM, are reportedly focused on intelligence that could help Riyadh track Houthi deployments and assess potential operations. The outreach is particularly notable because Saudi Arabia does not recognise Israel and the two countries have no formal diplomatic relations.The talks come as the Houthis have expanded their control along Yemen's Red Sea coast and threatened shipping through the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
Reports have described the group's maritime restrictions as a blockade affecting Saudi shipping and adding to pressure on the kingdom's energy and trade routes.Diplomatic sources cited by the Post said the talks, conducted through CENTCOM, were intended to help Saudi Arabia strengthen its ability to defend against the Houthis.The Saudi request was reportedly focused on intelligence that could provide a broader picture of Houthi military deployments and help identify potential plans for future operations, according to the sources.The discussions are notable because Saudi Arabia does not formally recognise Israel and the two countries do not maintain diplomatic relations. The talks therefore represent indirect security contact between two countries that have nevertheless shared some regional security concerns.The Post reported that Israeli intelligence and operational capabilities in the maritime arena had previously assisted the US in developing intelligence on Iranian forces.The discussions come amid a sharp escalation in fighting around Saudi Arabia and Yemen.The Houthis have stepped up attacks against Saudi cities and energy infrastructure while advancing along Yemen's Red Sea coast towards Bab al-Mandab. Reuters reported that the group recently carried out missile and drone attacks on Saudi targets, while Saudi and Yemeni forces have conducted strikes against Houthi positions.The escalation has also affected Saudi oil infrastructure.
A separate attack blamed on Iran-aligned forces disrupted Saudi Arabia's East-West oil pipeline, while the US has been assisting Riyadh with intelligence as the Kingdom seeks to maintain its energy exports.Saudi Arabia has also faced threats around the Red Sea as Houthi forces have advanced towards the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a key route for international shipping.Riyadh has sought support from several international partners as the security situation has deteriorated.The Jerusalem Post reported that Saudi Arabia also asked Britain for assistance in pushing the Houthis away from the Bab al-Mandab Strait and protecting its oil infrastructure. According to the report, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham agreed to send military advisers, although no additional aid had yet been committed.Saudi Arabia had also sought military assistance from US President Donald Trump. Reuters reported that Trump did not agree to direct US strikes against the Houthis, but Washington offered intelligence-sharing and targeting assistance instead.Pakistan has also been discussed as a potential source of support for Saudi Arabia. According to the source report, Islamabad has ruled out deploying Pakistani military assets to fight the Houthis in Yemen.Pakistan is part of the Mecca Defence Alliance with Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
However, the report said Islamabad had indicated that its forces could be deployed to defend Saudi territory while drawing a distinction between territorial defence and combat operations on foreign soil.The talks come against the backdrop of broader discussions over Saudi-Israeli relations.Security officials cited by the Post said President Donald Trump's decision to allow Saudi Arabia to develop a civilian nuclear programme has generated concern within Israel's security establishment. The issue was reportedly raised with Trump, who linked progress on the civilian nuclear programme to the normalisation of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel.Saudi Arabia has said it wants to pursue a diplomatic process with Israel after the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is resolved.Despite the absence of formal diplomatic relations, Israel and Saudi Arabia have overlapping security interests in the region. The current discussions over intelligence assistance therefore come as Riyadh faces intensified pressure from the Houthis and seeks greater security support from the US and other partners.
The BriefWire