US President Donald Trump has urged Saudi Arabia to accept Israel’s offer of assistance in its fight against Houthi rebels, describing Israeli support as “very helpful” amid escalating hostilities in the region.
Coalition spokesperson Turki al-Maliki announced the interceptions amid intensifying regional hostilities and mounting concerns over the security of Saudi Arabia’s energy infrastructure and strategic maritime routes. In an interview with Israeli media on Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was asked whether Saudi Arabia had sought Israel’s assistance. Yeah, I think so. Maybe more than ever. The Abraham Accords is one of our great achievements. And, yeah, I would say maybe more than ever. But Saudi Arabia is very happy to have Israel’s support and our support. Yeah”.
Asked whether a deal with Saudi Arabia under the framework was back on the table, Trump said, “Yeah, I think so. He replied, “There are barely any Middle Eastern states that aren’t asking us for help”, according to The Times of Israel. Amid the escalating hostilities, Iran has denied involvement in Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and expressed its readiness to help resolve differences between the parties, according to Iranian state broadcaster IRIB. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran was prepared to use its capabilities to help end the conflict if the parties concerned requested assistance.
The Saudi-led coalition, meanwhile, said it had intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched towards Yanbu, two cruise missiles over the Red Sea and three drones in Saudi Arabia. Yemen’s internationally recognised government on Friday accused Houthi forces of targeting Aden International Airport with two missiles.
The projectiles reportedly landed near a Yemenia Airlines aircraft preparing to take off for Cairo, according to the country’s Information Minister, Moammar Al-Eryani.
