Alerts issued in Saudi Arabia's Riyadh and Najran, Saudi-led coalition says Houthi missiles intercepted

The IDF intelligence agency has been supplying Saudi Arabia with valuable intelligence to aid its military campaigns against the Houthi rebels, according to a defense official who spoke on Thursday. This assistance is carried out in alignment with Israel's national interests and directives from the political leadership, the official revealed.

The official pointed out that the ongoing Sunni-Shiite conflict is a manifestation of broader developments occurring across the Middle East. According to the official, Sunni nations are observing the surge led by the Houthis against neighboring Saudi Arabia, encouraged and backed by Iran, and recognize their own vulnerability. Saudi Arabia, in response, is intensifying its assaults on Houthi-controlled territories, aiming to weaken crucial military infrastructure.

The official emphasized that these attacks are not only degrading Houthi military capabilities but also provide Israel with a strategic advantage by exposing the enemy's tactics and weaponry, which may not be exclusively Houthi-manufactured. The IDF official added that these relentless strikes are progressively diminishing the Houthis' strength, compelling them to allocate significant resources.

Despite their reputation for assembling forces over time, the official noted that the Houthis are encountering a substantial challenge in this prolonged conflict. The official further explained that the mounting pressure on Saudi Arabia is redefining alliances and relationships within the Middle East, presenting new prospects. The defense official concluded by stating that while there is uncertainty among nations regarding intervention, they anticipate it will occur.