Escalating Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia prompt urgent tripartite defense consultations

On September 24, 2026, Yemen-based Houthi rebels launched a series of missile and drone attacks against Saudi Arabia, targeting the provinces of Taif and Yanbu, as well as the capital, Riyadh. The Saudi-led coalition reported intercepting six ballistic missiles, while Houthi forces claimed to have targeted sensitive facilities, including Aramco sites in Yanbu. Further interceptions of drones and missiles occurred on September 26 near Riyadh and Khamis Mushait, with no casualties or significant damages reported by Saudi authorities.

In response to the intensified hostilities, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan have initiated urgent high-level consultations between their military chiefs. These discussions are taking place under the "Mecca Common Defense Agreement" signed on August 7, 2026, which stipulates that an attack on one signatory is considered an attack on all three. The coalition is currently assessing measures to strengthen its defensive capabilities.

Furthermore, France has pledged to provide military equipment, including radar and defensive systems, specifically to protect strategic energy infrastructure in Yanbu. These developments occur against the backdrop of an ongoing civil war in Yemen, which has seen a marked increase in regional tensions throughout September.