Saudi Arabia Turns to Allies for Missile Help Amid Yemen Conflict

Saudi Arabia is facing a critical shortage of missile interceptors in its ongoing conflict with Houthi rebels in Yemen, prompting officials to turn to regional and Western allies for assistance.

The kingdom has asked France, Britain, Pakistan, and Egypt to deploy air-defense support to the region to help defend against missiles and drones fired by Houthis and other Iran-backed groups.

This move comes as Saudi Arabia's main ally and arms supplier, the United States, has seen its own stock of interceptors dwindle over the course of a six-month war with Iran.

The outreach was initiated because Saudi officials have to protect not only their military bases and vital government installations but also oil facilities across the kingdom.