Houthi strikes raise Saudi security fears

The Middle East crisis has entered a new and potentially more dangerous phase, with the conflict spreading to Saudi Arabia, threatening the security of Islam’s holiest city and putting further pressure on critical oil and shipping routes linking the region to global markets.

The latest escalation comes as Yemen’s Houthi movement intensifies missile and drone attacks against Saudi Arabia and advances towards the strategic Bab al-Mandeb Strait, while Saudi forces have stepped up air strikes against Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen.

The developments are unfolding against the backdrop of the wider Iran-Israel-US war, which has already disrupted energy supplies and maritime traffic across the region.

The Strait of Hormuz has faced repeated closure, while the Houthi advance towards Bab al-Mandeb has created another potential chokepoint for international shipping.

Reuters reported that Houthi forces had reached the Red Sea islands of Hanish after capturing the coastal city of Mocha, raising concerns over one of the world’s most important shipping routes.

The simultaneous pressure on Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb is particularly significant for oil-importing countries because the two waterways connect
major energy-producing regions with international markets.

Any prolonged disruption could increase shipping costs, insurance premiums and energy prices, with consequences extending well beyond the Middle East.

Saudi Arabia has already suffered serious disruption to its energy infrastructure.

A drone attack damaged the kingdom’s East-West Pipeline, an important alternative route designed to move crude from the oil-producing east towards the Red Sea port of Yanbu, allowing exports to bypass the Strait of Hormuz.

The pipeline has subsequently remained largely out of service, with estimates suggesting repairs could take several weeks.

The disruption has now begun affecting European refiners. Saudi Aramco has informed at least two European refiners that their October crude allocations will be halted following the attack, Reuters reported, citing Bloomberg.

The damage affected three pumping stations and temporarily disrupted operations at Yanbu, forcing Saudi Arabia to adjust its export arrangements.

European refiners normally receive Saudi crude through term contracts providing for regular monthly supplies.

The cancellation of some October shipments therefore represents a direct consequence of the attacks on Saudi energy infrastructure.

Saudi Arabia is attempting to compensate by redirecting some exports through alternative routes, including ship-to-ship transfers near Oman’s Sohar port.

The International Energy Agency said Saudi crude supply fell by 2.3 million barrels per day in August to 6 million barrels per day, the lowest level in more than three decades, following attacks on the kingdom’s energy facilities.

The United Nations Security Council has warned that the Houthi military escalation, attacks on Saudi Arabia and threats to international shipping in the Red Sea could endanger maritime security and international trade.

The Council has also condemned attacks affecting Saudi civilian and energy infrastructure.

The European Union has likewise condemned the attacks. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas described Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia as unacceptable and said they threatened the global economy, while EU foreign affairs spokesman Anouar El Anouni expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia and called for an end to Houthi military action.

Saudi authorities said their air defences intercepted and destroyed a drone south of Makkah before it entered the restricted airspace surrounding the holy city.

Saudi officials described the security of Makkah and the Two Holy Mosques as a red line.

The incident nevertheless triggered widespread condemnation across the Muslim world.

Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the reported attack and reaffirmed its respect for Makkah and the other holy sites in Saudi Arabia, while expressing solidarity with the Saudi government and people.

Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain also issued a strong statement on Saturday, saying that any threat or attack against Makkah and Madinah would be unacceptable and that their security and sanctity were a collective responsibility of the Muslim Ummah.

He said Muslims around the world would stand united to protect the holy cities and called on Muslim states to overcome divisions and work together against threats to Makkah and Madinah.

The escalation has also brought renewed attention to the recently signed Mecca Joint Defence Agreement involving Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan.

The three countries signed the agreement in Makkah on 7 August. Under the pact, an armed attack against one member is to be regarded as an attack against all three.

The agreement provides a framework for closer defence cooperation and collective security.

The current Houthi attacks therefore present an early test of how the new security arrangement could operate in practice if Saudi Arabia faces sustained attacks.

The three countries have already taken steps to institutionalise cooperation. At their first Strategic Political and Defence Committee meeting in Istanbul on 31 August, they agreed to further develop cooperation under the agreement and reaffirmed their commitment to regional peace and stability.