Saudi Arabia Unleashes Aggressive Stance Against Iran and Proxies

Saudi Arabia has shifted its stance in the ongoing war from a de-escalatory posture to a more aggressive one, opening itself up to attacks on three fronts. The kingdom's joint operation with the US against Iran-allied militias in Iraq marked a significant change in Saudi policy.

Earlier this month, Saudi Arabia bombed Sanaa Airport after a Houthi delegation tried to land, violating an air blockade. This action was met with retaliation from the Houthis, who launched ballistic missile strikes targeting Abha International Airport and threatened to attack vessels trading with the kingdom.

The situation escalated further when Iraqi militias began launching drones at Saudi oil infrastructure for the first time during the war. In response, Saudi Arabia struck the headquarters of the 40th PMF Brigade in Iraq, killing a significant number of Iran-allied fighters.

While this shift in policy is a major development, concerns remain about Saudi military capabilities. The kingdom's intervention in Yemen from 2015 to 2022 ended in failure, exposing its weakness and inability to counter Houthi ground excursions.