Saudi Arabia warns of possible coordinated attacks by Iraqi militias and Houthis

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia expects imminent coordinated attacks by Iraqi militias from the north and Yemen’s Houthis from the south, under the supervision of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a senior Saudi official said.

The official said intelligence reports indicated that civilian and economic sites, including energy infrastructure, ports and airports, could be targeted.

Reported military movements

Speaking on condition of anonymity late on Thursday, the official said Saudi Arabia, the United States and other regional countries had received intelligence pointing to possible attacks.

Saudi Arabia had observed drones and missiles being moved in a manner suggesting coordinated operations from both directions, the official said. The kingdom was prepared to take all necessary measures in response to “any aggression,” the official added.

Recent escalation

The warning follows increased attacks against Saudi Arabia in recent weeks by Yemen’s Houthis and Iraqi militias.

In late July, Saudi Arabia carried out strikes alongside U.S. Central Command against Iran-backed groups in Iraq after blaming them for drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities. Iraqi militias said they would respond to the Saudi strikes.

Reuters reported last week that Saudi Arabia had assessed that the Houthis and Iraqi militias attacked the kingdom together from Iraq under IRGC supervision.

Defence agreement and diplomacy

Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey are expected to sign a joint defence agreement in Mecca on Friday, sources with knowledge of the matter said.

The Saudi official said the reported threats were particularly alarming as Riyadh continued to seek de-escalation and a negotiated settlement. Contacts with all parties, including Iran, and mediation efforts appeared to be moving “in the right direction,” the official said.