Escalating Tensions: Houthi Missile and Drone Strikes Hit Saudi Arabia Despite Diplomatic Warnings via Pakistan

Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence issued urgent emergency guidance early on Thursday as a wave of Houthi missile and drone attacks intensified across the kingdom. In a public post on X, the Civil Defence strongly urged residents to remain calm and strictly follow all official instructions.

The latest escalation occurred despite Saudi Arabia having recently delivered a firm warning to Tehran through Pakistan, urging Iran to rein in the Houthi movement. Maj Gen Turki Al Malki, spokesman for the coalition supporting Yemen's internationally recognised government, stated that the Iran-backed militia launched ballistic missiles and drones targeting the cities of Khamis Mushait, Abha, and Jazan on Wednesday. According to the coalition, these attacks resulted in injuries to at least 73 civilians across Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan, and Najran. In response, Houthi rebels reported that Saudi Arabia launched 54 air strikes across Yemen.

Maj Gen Al Malki emphasized that the coalition will respond to the Houthi attacks responsibly to safeguard the kingdom’s sovereignty, national assets, civilians, and civilian objects, acting strictly in accordance with the principle of self-defence under international law.

Reuters reported that the diplomatic warning to Tehran was formally delivered by Pakistan on Tuesday, citing reliable Saudi, Pakistani, and Iranian sources. Pakistan maintains a mutual defence pact with Saudi Arabia and Turkey, under which an attack on one nation is treated as an attack on all three. Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif noted that Islamabad is currently pursuing a diplomatic resolution, but cautioned that any unprovoked aggression or spillover into Saudi Arabia would activate the agreement.

An Iranian official acknowledged receipt of Saudi Arabia's message, though Tehran maintained that it does not control the Houthis. Conversely, two Iranian sources informed Reuters that Tehran had actually instructed the Houthis to target Saudi Arabia, promising additional funding and weaponry in return.

Despite receiving extensive backing from Tehran since seizing Sanaa in 2014, the Houthis have consistently sought to position themselves as an independent Iranian partner rather than a mere proxy. Observers view the group as notably more reckless than traditional proxies like Lebanon's Hezbollah, which operates directly under Tehran's command.

“The Houthis have their own ambitions,” Allison Minor, former US deputy special envoy for Yemen, previously told The National. “The Houthis are more dangerous. They have at times been more reckless in pursuing their vision than Tehran.”

It remains uncertain whether the Houthis will heed Saudi Arabia's warning or continue to escalate their offensive operations amid the intensifying regional tensions.