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Houthi Attacks Hit Saudi Arabia, Pakistan to Aid

By Drooid · Sep 30, 2026, 10:40 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Iran-backed Houthi forces launched missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia in September 2026, striking Yanbu and Riyadh.
Pakistan's defense minister said Pakistan will provide means for Saudi Arabia under the Mecca pact, without confirming airstrikes.
France announced deployment of soldiers, radar and air-defence systems to protect Yanbu port.
The Houthis captured Mokha port and Perim island on September 10, extending reach toward the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

History

Historical Context

In 2015, Saudi Arabia launched a coalition air campaign against Houthi rebels in Yemen, aiming to restore President Hadi's government. The coalition, comprising United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, and supported by the United States, deployed over 30,000 troops and 150 aircraft, costing $10 billion by 2020. September 2026 Houthi missile and drone strikes on Yanbu and Riyadh, backed by Iran and countered by French radar deployments, mirror the earlier proxy confrontations. These recurring escalations sustain Red Sea volatility, prompting Pakistan to pledge Mecca-pact assistance and urging renewed diplomatic pressure to prevent broader regional war.

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Story summary

Iran-backed Houthi forces launched missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia in September 2026, striking Yanbu and Riyadh.
Pakistan's defense minister said Pakistan will provide means for Saudi Arabia under the Mecca pact, without confirming airstrikes.
France announced deployment of soldiers, radar and air-defence systems to protect Yanbu port.
The Houthis captured Mokha port and Perim island on September 10, extending reach toward the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

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