Saudi Arabia is facing growing security concerns amid the rapidly expanding military presence of the Houthi rebels in Yemen. Pakistan has declined to send troops to fight in Yemen, while reports say Riyadh has sought intelligence assistance from Israel to address the Houthi threat.
Iran-backed Houthi rebels have rapidly expanded their control in recent days along Yemen’s western Red Sea coast and around the Bab al-Mandeb. On September 10, the Houthis captured the strategic port city of Mokha. They subsequently established control over several strategic areas, including Mayyun (Perim) Island and the Hanish Islands, strengthening their military and maritime position around Bab al-Mandeb.
Bab al-Mandeb is a key maritime route connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and, further, the Indian Ocean. Ships travelling between Asia and Europe use the route to reach the Suez Canal. A prolonged disruption to the passage could affect global shipping, energy supplies and freight costs.
According to media reports, Saudi Arabia had sought military assistance from Pakistan, a close security partner, against the Houthis. Pakistan, however, has declined to send its troops to fight in Yemen.
Reports say Pakistan is prepared to assist in protecting Saudi Arabia’s regional borders and territory but wants to avoid directly participating in any military operation on Yemeni soil. This position keeps Pakistan from becoming a direct combatant in the conflict in Yemen.
The development comes against the backdrop of long-standing defence cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. In August 2026, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye also announced a joint defence agreement. Despite this, reports indicate that Pakistan’s role in the current crisis is being limited to the defence of Saudi territory.
Following Pakistan’s refusal, Saudi Arabia has reportedly intensified efforts to explore other options. According to Israeli media reports, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sought intelligence assistance from Israel over threats linked to the Houthis.
Reports say the contact took place through the US Central Command (CENTCOM) rather than through direct diplomatic channels. The discussions reportedly focused on sharing intelligence about Houthi-related threats around Bab al-Mandeb and surrounding areas.
Saudi Arabia and Israel currently do not have formal diplomatic relations. The reported security and intelligence contact has therefore drawn attention in the context of regional security arrangements. However, available reports have not described it as a broader military alliance or formal security agreement.
Saudi Arabia has also asked the United States to take action against the Houthis. According to recent reports, the US administration has exercised caution over directly becoming involved in a major military operation in Yemen. Instead, options involving regional security and intelligence cooperation have been emphasised.
Meanwhile, reports indicate that the role of the United Kingdom and other countries has primarily centred on maritime security, advice and intelligence cooperation. This means Saudi Arabia is seeking support from regional and international partners to address the Houthi threat.
The Houthis’ recent military advances have further intensified the crisis. After capturing Mokha on September 10, the group expanded its presence to Mayyun Island. Reports subsequently emerged of Houthi control over Greater Hanish and Lesser Hanish islands.
According to the Al Jazeera Centre for Studies, the Houthis’ recent advances have strengthened their position along Yemen’s western coast and increased their ability to affect maritime traffic around Bab al-Mandeb. However, maintaining long-term control over these areas could also pose challenges for the Houthis. Defending military positions and supply routes in coastal areas is more difficult than in mountainous terrain.
Bab al-Mandeb is among the world’s most important maritime chokepoints. It connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and links maritime trade between Europe and Asia through the Suez Canal.
If shipping through the route is disrupted for a prolonged period, companies may have to reroute vessels around the southern tip of Africa through the Cape of Good Hope. This could increase travel distances, fuel consumption and freight transit times.
The impact would not be limited to West Asia. Europe-Asia trade, supplies of oil and other energy products, container shipping and global freight costs could also come under pressure.
A prolonged period of tension around the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb could increase shipping costs for Asian countries, including India. If vessels are forced to take longer alternative routes, fuel and insurance expenses could rise.
Energy markets are also closely monitoring the developments. Global oil markets have experienced volatility amid the recent Houthi advances. Bab al-Mandeb is particularly important for Saudi Arabia because the Red Sea is a key route for its oil exports and access to Asian markets.
The conflict in Yemen escalated into a major war after the Houthis captured Sana’a in 2014. In 2015, a Saudi-led coalition launched a military campaign in support of Yemen’s internationally recognised government.
A ceasefire brokered by the United Nations in 2022 succeeded in reducing widespread fighting. However, following the recent Houthi military advances, conflict has intensified again in western Yemen. The United Nations and relief agencies have expressed concern over civilian displacement and the worsening humanitarian situation.
For Saudi Arabia, the current crisis extends beyond Yemen. The threat from Houthi attacks reaches its cities, military facilities, oil infrastructure and maritime trade routes.
Riyadh is now seeking security cooperation at different levels with Pakistan, the United States, Israel, Egypt and other regional partners. In recent talks with Egypt, emphasis was placed on freedom and security of navigation in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb, although Egypt has not announced the deployment of troops to Yemen.
The developments have highlighted changing security arrangements in West Asia. Pakistan’s refusal to participate directly in military operations in Yemen and the reported intelligence contact between Saudi Arabia and Israel are among the developments being closely followed in relation to regional diplomacy and security arrangements.
