Middle East latest: Helicopter crash in Saudi Arabia kills two officers

A Saudi Arabian reconnaissance helicopter crashed near the border with Yemen, resulting in the deaths of two people, marking the first fatalities reported by the kingdom since their ongoing war against Houthi rebels. The incident occurred as missiles were intercepted in other parts of the country, and air-raid alerts were sounded in Riyadh.

The AH-6i helicopter's crash near Najran was attributed to a technical fault by the Saudi-led coalition, contradicting the Houthi claim of downing a similar aircraft. This series of events suggests no imminent resolution to Saudi Arabia's conflict with the Yemen-based Houthis, which has resulted in over a dozen deaths in recent attacks.

The Houthis, who have been at war with Saudi Arabia for a decade, intensified their assaults in October following Saudi-backed Yemeni forces' offensive. The kingdom has delayed numerous global events, including the Future Investment Initiative, a crucial financial summit, due to safety concerns. The Saudi-led coalition intercepted multiple drones over Riyadh and destroyed ballistic and cruise missiles in other regions, including attempts to target the Red Sea port city of Yanbu and the Khamis Mushait border area.

International allies, such as Egypt, have pledged support for Saudi Arabia, with President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi urging the Egyptian parliament to authorize defensive measures. The Houthis have targeted several airports in Yemen, killing over 17 people and injuring more than 300 since October. Additionally, the Houthis have struck key oil infrastructure, further exacerbating the energy supply crisis resulting from the Iran war.