Saudi Arabia has enforced certain restrictions on US Military from using its soil and airspace for operations against the Houthis in Yemen, an American defence official confirmed to Sky News Arabia. Detailed measures include permission for American fighter jets for refuelling specifically at kingdom’s military airbase, and disallowing Americans to leverage its missile defence systems stationed in Saudi Arabia to counter Houthis.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia maintained silence on these comments. Nonetheless, in the escalating tensions across the Red Sea, Riyadh has refrained from enlisting in the US-led coalition directed towards the Houthis.
Besides, the American defence official noted that Washington has ramped up its missile defence in Socotra, in anticipation of potential Houthis’ assaults on American forces stationed in the area.
“Interception of long-range missiles possibly discharged by the Houthis, is the aim of these measures,” says the official, as the Houthis continually pose threats to American, Israeli and British ships.
The Houthis, in November, kick-started their attacks on Israeli affiliated assets owing to the warfare in the besieged Gaza Strip. Rising tensions flared up the Red Sea in January, as the US and UK began counter strikes on Houthi positions in Yemen, further provoking the group to target American and British vessels.
In 2023, talks were being held between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis with an intention to put an end to the ongoing conflict commenced in 2015. Observers speculate Saudi’s engagement in any US-led incursion against the group may potentially reopen old conflicts and trigger a resurgence of the war.
