Hostilities between Yemen’s Ansarullah Houthis and Saudi Arabia are intensifying, marking a significant deterioration in relations. In a notable escalation, the Iran-backed group launched missiles toward the Saudi capital, Riyadh, for the first time since a ceasefire was established in 2022.
The Houthi leadership has declared that it will meet any further escalation with a proportional increase in hostilities. This standoff underscores the deep-seated historical enmity between the two nations but also raises serious concerns about the potential to draw the wider region into a larger conflict.
Turkey has expressed its support for Saudi Arabia’s security in response to the increasing Houthi attacks, according to Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. Analysts suggest that Saudi Arabia is preparing for a substantial military response to these provocations.
In a recent discussion on the implications of these developments, Al Jazeera’s Inside Story program featured presenter Rob Matheson alongside several experts. Guests included Nawaf Obaid, a former adviser to the Saudi government and senior research fellow at King’s College London; Muhanad Seloom, a non-resident senior fellow at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs; and Ibrahim Jalal, an analyst specializing in Yemeni affairs and regional security.
Turkey’s support for Saudi just makes me worry this is the spark for a huge regional war again.
This is terrifying. A missile hitting Riyadh breaks a fragile peace and could pull in everyone.