Saudi Arabia’s military has been placed on high alert following clashes with Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. This was revealed by multiple people familiar with the matter. The Houthis have a history of attempting to fire missiles at Israel by passing over Saudi Arabia.
Four Saudi soldiers have been killed in fighting with the Houthis in Jazan province, a mountainous southwestern region on the border with Yemen, the sources said, asking not to be identified as the information is private.
Saudi forces have also intercepted missiles launched by the Houthis in Saudi territory in recent weeks. Spokespeople for the Saudi government and the Houthis did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The clashes occurred last week and are the first known deaths on the Saudi side since an interim ceasefire was agreed with the Houthis in April last year. Saudi Arabia had been trying to negotiate an end to the war with the Houthis that began in 2015.
The clashes occurred as the conflict between Israel and the Islamic group Hamas escalates tensions across the region. Iran has warned that if the United States continues to support Israel, it will open a new front against the United States.
On October 19, the Houthis fired cruise missiles and drones at Israel. The Pentagon said the missiles were intercepted by a US destroyer in the Red Sea. Officials said one of the missiles was shot down by the Saudi air force and fell on Saudi territory. The United States and Saudi Arabia have not previously disclosed Saudi involvement. One of the people said the Saudi military was ordered to be on heightened alert following the missile launch by the Houthis.
The Houthis have expressed support for Hamas, which is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union (EU). On the 11th of this month, Houthi leader Abdulmalik Houthi accused Saudi Arabia and other countries of trying to normalize relations with Israel.
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Original title:Saudi Forces on High Alert After Deadly Clash With Houthi Rebels(excerpt)
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2023-10-31 01:29:28