Houthis Accused of Helping Plan Attacks on Saudi Oil Infrastructure

The Houthi rebels in Yemen have been accused of helping plan and execute attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure from Iraqi territory in July. According to the Associated Press, citing Saudi and Iraqi officials, Houthi emissaries worked with Iraqi militias to launch the two-day swarm attack.

The attacks, which were allegedly orchestrated by Iran-aligned Iraqi armed factions, resulted in joint US-Saudi airstrikes across large swatches of Iraq that killed at least 20 militia fighters. The Houthis have been engaged in heavy combat against Riyadh since July and have often spoken in support of the Iranian-backed militias.

The Houthi official and an Iraqi militiaman confirmed to the Associated Press that a Houthi fighter was among the casualties of the retaliatory US-Saudi strikes, which had previously only resulted in the deaths of PMF personnel. The denial of any involvement by PMF officials contradicts the Saudi and Iraqi claims.

The incident has raised concerns about the level of coordination between pro-Iran militias in Iraq and the Houthis. Since assuming office, Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has sought to rein in militia activity in Iraq, but recurrent strikes on neighboring countries have caused significant diplomatic embarrassment and threatened the domestic economy.