Saudi Arabia Hit by Houthi Drones as US Clears Massive F-35 Jet Sale
Saudi Civil Defence activated emergency shelter protocols in Riyadh and Al-Kharj following explosions, marking the first time the current Houthi campaign has forced the capital into an alert status. Prior to the sirens, debris from an intercepted Houthi drone killed a Yemeni resident in Taif and wounded a Saudi woman and a Pakistani man, the latter of whom remains in critical condition. GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi condemned the attack, joining statements of disapproval from Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, the Arab League, the Muslim World League, and the Arab Interior Ministers Council. Riyadh has reported over 80 wounded this month.
- Saudi Civil Defence activated emergency shelter protocols in Riyadh and Al-Kharj following explosions.
- Debris from an intercepted Houthi drone killed a Yemeni resident in Taif and wounded two others.
- GCC and regional bodies condemned the attacks while conflict continues in the Hormuz Strait and Red Sea.
- US State Department notified Congress of a potential $24.3 billion Foreign Military Sale.
Houthi Attacks and Regional Military Actions
Abdel-Malik al-Houthi denied accusations of targeting Mecca, refuting claims that a drone intercepted near the holy city was aimed at the site. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree claimed successful strikes on hangars, radars, and ammunition in Khamis Mushait, alongside operations in Yanbu and southern airbases. Meanwhile, Saudi F-15s have conducted sorties into Taiz, Marib, Hajjah, and Hodeidah. Casualty reports from both sides remain unverified.
Conflict continues in the Hormuz Strait and Red Sea. The Iranian IRGC detained the Togo-flagged tanker Trend near Khasab, Oman, for alleged illegal passage, an incident logged by UKMTO. Italy is deploying warships to the strait, and EU Operation Aspides has increased its alert level. Saudi oil transit has shifted to the Red Sea following an earlier strike on the East-West pipeline, while ship-to-ship crude transfers are occurring off Sohar. Brent crude has reached $108 per barrel.
US Weapons Sale and Diplomatic Efforts
In response to the security situation, the US State Department has notified Congress of a potential $24.3 billion Foreign Military Sale including 48 F-35A Lightning II engines and 49 Pratt & Whitney F135 engines. If approved following a 30-day review, Saudi Arabia would become the first Arab operator of the F-35. The Saudi embassy in Washington characterized the deal as an enduring partnership, though some Israeli and US Congressional voices have expressed concerns regarding Israel’s qualitative military edge and the sharing of stealth technology.
Diplomatic efforts remain strained. An Oman-hosted meeting regarding Hormuz shipping was postponed due to Saudi-Iran deadlock and Bahrain’s non-participation. UAE Crown Prince Khaled bin Mohamed held a meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the BRICS summit, and US-GCC discussions are anticipated at the upcoming UN General Assembly in New York.