Netanyahu seeks Saudi nod to strike Houthis; MBS objects

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is asking Saudi Arabia, through U.S. mediators, to let Israel join the military campaign against Yemen's Houthis, Haaretz reported Monday, citing a diplomatic source. According to the source, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman opposes any Israeli military role because he expects a public backlash inside the kingdom.haaretz

A second source told the Israeli newspaper that the outreach is also meant to strengthen ties with Riyadh and prepare the ground for a possible normalization agreement between the two countries. i24NEWS, citing the Haaretz report, said the aim is for Israel to "join forces" with Saudi Arabia. It also noted that Mohammed bin Salman is the kingdom's prime minister as well as crown prince, so Israel is unlikely to get permission without his approval.moneycontrol+1

Houthi attacks on Riyadh

The reported request comes as Saudi Arabia has stepped up its role in Yemen. Forces loyal to the internationally recognized government have launched an offensive against the Houthis, supported by a stronger Saudi-led coalition campaign. In early September the Houthis advanced along Yemen's western Red Sea coast. They took the port city of Mokha and several Red Sea islands, which gave them control of Yemen's side of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Government-aligned forces have since retaken Mokha.moneycontrol

The Houthis have also repeatedly struck Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport. According to figures cited in the reporting, a ballistic missile on Saturday, Oct. 10, killed at least 12 people and wounded 309. Another attack on Sunday killed one person and injured 11. Saudi air defenses have been strained by gaps in early warning coverage and a shortage of interceptor missiles. Reports say this has pushed the kingdom to seek help from France and Britain to protect sites such as the Yanbu oil terminal.headtopics+1

After Saturday's strike, Netanyahu condemned it on X. "I condemn in the strongest possible terms the horrific terrorist attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh," he wrote, and he offered condolences "on behalf of the people of Israel".moneycontrol

Normalization still out of reach

President Donald Trump has repeatedly pushed for Saudi Arabia to normalize relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords. A deal appeared close in the autumn of 2023. Riyadh has maintained that normalization depends on real progress toward an independent Palestinian state. During recent election campaigning, Netanyahu has pledged to prevent such a state.i24news+1

According to the reporting, the request to Riyadh serves two purposes. It would bring Israel into a wider campaign against a group that has targeted both countries, and it would advance Israel's long-standing aim of formal relations with Saudi Arabia. For now, the crown prince's concern about how Saudis would react to Israeli warplanes over Yemen appears to stand in the way.moneycontrol+1