Saudi Arabia facing Iranian proxies alone as US opts out of strikes - analysis
Targeted by Iraqi militias and pressured by Houthi advances, Riyadh must restore deterrence on two fronts as critical infrastructure comes under renewed threat from Iranian proxies.
Saudi Arabia is facing a precarious situation as it contends with Iranian-backed proxies in Iraq and the Houthis advancing toward the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. The kingdom has sought military support from the US, which has advanced a sale of F-35s, but the delivery of these 5th-generation warplanes is years away, leaving Riyadh in a bind.
The Houthis have continued their threats and attacks, fortifying captured positions and pushing propaganda, while Saudi Arabia's allies, Pakistan and Turkey, have not stepped up to offer assistance. Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister arrived in New York to lead the delegation at the UN General Assembly, where the kingdom is seeking support.
The US has stepped back from strikes on Houthi targets, leaving Saudi Arabia to face this dilemma alone, similar to a previous attack on Saudi Arabia's Abqaiq energy facility in 2019.
Brief written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
Also reported by 5 other outlets
- UK to provide Saudi Arabia with 'defensive' military support, says Burnham bbc.co.uk
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- Report: UK prepared to support Saudi Arabia against the Houthis israelnationalnews.com
- UN condemns continued Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, urges de-escalation english.ajel.sa
- UK to offer Saudi Arabia aerial refueling to counter Houthi attacks winnipegfreepress.com
