Houthis, Iraqi Militias Unite Against Saudi Arabia in Secret Pipeline

A secret pipeline for operations against Saudi Arabia has been revealed, showing a new level of coordination between Iran-backed groups in Yemen and Iraq. According to regional officials, Yemen's Houthis helped Iraqi militias plan and execute a two-day drone attack on Saudi oil facilities in July.

The cooperation reflects an effort by Iran to use armed groups in Iraq and Yemen to threaten Saudi Arabia and other US allies in the Gulf. This strategy carries significant risks, as a wave of Houthi attacks on Saudi oil facilities threatened to reignite full-scale war with the kingdom.

AHmed Nagi, senior Yemen analyst at the Crisis Group, said: 'The Houthis' growing prominence during the Gaza war opened up a new horizon in Iraq. Many groups there became eager to support the Houthis, and in return, the Houthis started sharing their military expertise with Iraqi militias.'

The Houthi blockade of Saudi Arabia has increased pressure on the kingdom, forcing it to adopt a 'dark' transit policy that includes turning off tracking signals on oil tankers. Since late July, the Houthis have carried out more than a dozen attacks against Saudi oil facilities and tankers in the Red Sea.