Houthis attack Saudi Arabia after Pakistan delivers Riyadh warning to Iran

Saudi Arabia issued emergency civil defense guidance on Thursday in response to escalating Houthi missile and drone attacks. The attacks targeted cities including Khamis Mushait, Abha, and Jazan. The Houthis, an Iran-backed militia, continued their assaults despite a warning from Saudi Arabia through Pakistan urging Tehran to restrain the Houthis.

The coalition supporting Yemen's recognized government reported that the attacks injured at least 73 civilians in Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan, and Najran. In retaliation, Saudi Arabia launched 54 air strikes across Yemen. Maj Gen Turki Al Malki, the coalition spokesman, stated that the attacks would be handled responsibly to protect the kingdom's sovereignty and national assets, adhering to the principle of self-defence under international law.

Pakistan delivered the warning to Tehran on Tuesday, citing Saudi, Pakistani, and Iranian sources. Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif noted that the agreement between the three nations considers an attack on one as an attack on all, and that Islamabad is pursuing a diplomatic solution while warning that "unprovoked aggression or spillover...into Saudi Arabia will definitely make this agreement operational."

An Iranian official confirmed the delivery of the warning but emphasized that Tehran does not control the Houthis. Two Iranian sources told Reuters that Tehran had instructed the Houthis to attack Saudi Arabia, promising additional funding and weapons. Despite Tehran's extensive backing of the Houthis since their takeover of Sanaa in 2014, the group has sought to establish itself as an Iranian partner, not a proxy.

Former US deputy special envoy for Yemen, Allison Minor, described the Houthis as more dangerous than proxies like Lebanon's Hezbollah, which is directly under Tehran's command. The Houthis' ambitions remain to be seen as they continue to escalate attacks amid the intensifying US-Iran conflict.