Saudi Arabia seeks missile defence support as Yemen fighting intensifies, while the US backs Yemen’s government but rules out a direct role.
Saudi Arabia missile defence support has become a major concern as fighting between Houthi forces and Yemen’s internationally recognised government intensifies. The United States has reiterated its support for Yemen’s government while stopping short of a direct military role. The latest developments, reported by The Times of Russia, also include direct US-Houthi talks in Oman and Saudi Arabia’s request for additional air-defence assistance from regional and Western allies.
Saudi Arabia Seeks Missile Defence Support
Saudi Arabia is reportedly running low on missile interceptors and has approached several regional and Western countries for additional air-defence assistance. According to two officials who spoke to The Associated Press, Riyadh asked France, Pakistan, Egypt and the United Kingdom to deploy air-defence support to help protect against attacks by the Houthis.
One official said the United States, Saudi Arabia’s main ally and arms supplier, has also seen its interceptor stocks decline during its six-month war with Iran. The situation has increased pressure on Saudi Arabia to seek additional missile defence support from its allies.
US Central Command spokesman Tim Hawkins told Al Jazeera that Washington was closely monitoring developments involving the Houthis and the Saudi-backed government in Yemen. He also said the US military has a longstanding military relationship with its Saudi partners.
Also Read:- Saudi Arabia Houthi Drone Near Mecca: What Happened
US Support for Yemen Government
Washington has continued to publicly back Yemen’s internationally recognised government as fighting has expanded across several areas.
The top US diplomat for Yemen, Neil Hop, spoke with Yemen’s Foreign Minister Afrah al-Zouba and reaffirmed Washington’s support for the government. The US embassy in Yemen said the United States stood in solidarity with the Yemeni government and its people against Houthi aggression. Yemen’s Foreign Ministry also confirmed a September 16 telephone call between Al-Zouba and Hop concerning the latest escalation and its impact on Yemen, the wider region and international navigation.
At the same time, US officials held direct discussions with Houthi representatives in Oman last weekend, according to sources cited by Reuters.
The meeting reportedly took place at the US embassy in Muscat with assistance from the Omani government. According to the sources, Houthi representatives told US officials that they did not intend to attack American vessels and remained committed to the 2025 ceasefire with Washington.
Yemen Houthi Conflict Intensifies
Fighting has continued across several fronts as the Yemen Houthi conflict escalates.
Yemeni government forces said the Saudi-led coalition had targeted Houthi positions, equipment and outposts around the southwestern port city of Mocha. The government’s army also said it carried out drone attacks against Houthi forces in northern Marib governorate.
The Houthis, meanwhile, claimed that Saudi aircraft had conducted 40 air strikes over 24 hours across Taiz, Marib and Hodeidah.
The group said it responded by targeting the Khamis Mushait airbase and an oil facility in Yanbu, a Saudi Red Sea port city. These claims were made by the Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree.
Houthis Claim Saudi F-15 Was Shot Down
The Houthis also claimed to have shot down a Saudi fighter aircraft over Marib using what they described as a locally made surface-to-air missile.
Houthi military media released footage showing fighters beside what they said was the wreckage of a Saudi F-15. Reuters noted that the exact location and date of the footage could not be independently verified and that the aircraft model was not immediately identifiable because of the damage.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the aircraft had been brought down over the central Marib province.
Al Jazeera’s Yemen correspondent Yousef Mawry said the reported downing of Saudi fighter jets could affect the military situation because Saudi Arabia relies heavily on air strikes against Houthi positions across Yemen.
Saudi-Led Coalition and Regional Security
The latest escalation has placed renewed attention on the role of the Saudi-led coalition and the availability of air-defence systems.
Saudi Arabia’s request for additional air defence support from France, Pakistan, Egypt and the United Kingdom comes as officials report pressure on interceptor supplies. The United States is also facing constraints on its own interceptor inventory, according to officials cited by AP.
At the diplomatic level, Washington continues to support Yemen’s internationally recognised government while maintaining communication with Houthi representatives through talks in Oman.
The developments show that the conflict is unfolding across both military and diplomatic fronts, with fighting around Mocha and Marib occurring alongside efforts to maintain communication between the United States and the Houthis.
Yemen Fighting Continues
The latest fighting comes as Yemen faces renewed instability involving the government, Houthi forces and Saudi Arabia. The situation has also raised concerns over regional security and international navigation.
For Saudi Arabia, the reported shortage of missile interceptors has added another challenge as attacks continue. For Washington, the latest developments involve maintaining support for Yemen’s government while also keeping diplomatic channels with the Houthis open.
The Times of Russia will continue to follow developments involving Yemen, Saudi Arabia, the Houthis and the wider regional security situation.
