Houthi Attacks Resuscitate Israeli-Saudi Security Ties
Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia have potentially deepened security ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia.
Normalization talks between the two countries were put on hold after Hamas' October 7 attack, which disrupted relations. However, shared enemies and threats may be driving the two countries closer together again.
A recent meeting in Germany, organized by the US Central Command, brought together military commanders from Israel, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, and Egypt to discuss regional tensions.
The Houthis' push towards the Bab al-Mandab waterway and attacks on Saudi oil facilities may be providing a common ground for cooperation between Jerusalem and Riyadh. Saudi Arabia needs advanced air defense assets and personnel to protect its oil installations and holy sites, such as Mecca.