Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia have intensified, raising fresh concerns over regional security as Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye face their first major test under the newly signed Makkah defence agreement. The Houthis launched missiles and drones toward southern Saudi cities, including Khamis Mushait, Abha and Jazan. Saudi authorities said 73 people were wounded in the attacks, while energy facilities and other infrastructure were targeted. Riyadh responded with airstrikes against Houthi positions in Yemen as fighting also intensified inside the country. The escalation has put the recently signed Saudi-Pakistan-Türkiye defence pact under renewed attention.Why Is Saudi Arabia Under Attack?The latest Houthi strikes mark a serious escalation in the long-running Yemen conflict. The group has targeted Saudi territory while Saudi-backed Yemeni forces are fighting to regain areas controlled by the Houthis. Saudi Arabia has also increased military operations against Houthi positions in response.The attacks are particularly significant because they come amid a wider regional conflict involving Iran, the United States and other Middle Eastern countries. They also threaten energy infrastructure and important shipping routes, increasing concerns about global oil supplies and regional stability.Houthis attacked southern Saudi cities with missiles and drones.Saudi Arabia reported 73 people wounded in the attacks.Energy facilities in areas including Jazan and Abha were targeted.Saudi forces responded with strikes against Houthi positions in Yemen.Pakistan has urged Iran to help restrain further Houthi attacks.Yemen Conflict Enters New PhaseThe latest violence follows the breakdown of the relative calm created by the 2022 UN-brokered truce. Fighting between the Houthis and Saudi-backed Yemeni forces has intensified, particularly around western Yemen and areas close to the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait.The Houthis' position near the Red Sea has wider importance because Bab el-Mandeb is a major route for international shipping and energy supplies. Further fighting in the area could increase pressure on trade and already-sensitive global oil markets.Also Read: Guterres to Stress Multipolarity and UNSC Reforms at BRICS SummitMakkah Pact Faces First TestSaudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement in August. The agreement states that an armed attack against one of the three countries will be treated as an attack against all three, while also expanding defence cooperation.Pakistan's defence minister recently said the pact could become operational if the Yemen conflict spills directly into Saudi Arabia. However, Pakistan's foreign ministry clarified on September 10 that no immediate military response is currently being discussed.Key HighlightsHouthis intensified attacks on Saudi Arabia using missiles and drones.Saudi Arabia reported 73 people wounded in the September 8 attacks.Saudi energy and civilian infrastructure came under attack.Riyadh responded with airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen.Pakistan has warned that the Makkah defence pact could become relevant if fighting spills into Saudi territory.The escalation has raised fresh concerns about oil supplies, shipping and wider regional stability.Regional Security Faces PressureThe Houthi escalation has turned the Saudi-Yemen conflict into a broader regional security concern. While Pakistan has not announced military involvement, its new defence agreement with Saudi Arabia and Türkiye has created a framework for collective security if a member faces an armed attack.For now, the priority appears to be preventing the conflict from expanding further. Continued Houthi attacks on Saudi territory, combined with fighting around Yemen's Red Sea coast, could increase pressure on energy markets and international shipping.Disclaimer: This article is provided only for knowledge and news-information purposes and does not represent political or military advice.
