Saudi Arabia successfully intercepted a ballistic missile and a drone attack by Yemeni Houthi forces. They attacked strategic targets such as Taif and the important port of the Red Sea city of Yanbu. The aggression is a serious escalation in the conflict since a long-running ceasefire broke down earlier this year, causing renewed tension around the region.

The Saudi-led coalition intercepted six ballistic missiles that were targeted at the kingdom of Saudi Arabia in a defensive operation on September 25. The Houthis had launched defensive moves, which Turki al-Maliki, the coalition’s spokesperson, confirmed, adding that any escalation by the Houthi militia would be met with a “hefty response. The war has taken its toll on the ground in Yemen, with reports that some 150 fighters from each side were killed in the span of just 24 hours of renewed fighting.

France has decided to send military forces to defend the port of Yanbu in order to secure global energy supply. French President Emmanuel Macron stressed the fact that these [defense systems and personnel] will not go into combat but will only be deployed to protect the port. Yanbu is an important crude export hub that is connected to the oil-producing areas of Saudi Arabia through the Petroline East-West pipeline.

The Houthis said they hit military command centers, logistics depots and specific infrastructures of the Aramco. The rebel group claimed they had been able to penetrate far into Saudi territory, including into Riyadh. Saudi Civil Defence has once again issued alerts for a few areas, including the holy city of Mecca, in response to the incoming threats, but it immediately withdrew them to avoid panic in the centre of pilgrimage.

Iranian leaders have shied away from the rebel group’s military activities in spite of the seemingly well-coordinated nature of these strikes. President Masoud Pezeshkian recently made such a declaration, saying Tehran has no involvement in the activities of the Houthis, and they are all autonomous. This complex situation has significant implications for Saudi security as well as the wider Middle East stability, given the changing geopolitical tide.