Saudi Arabia Is Asking Europe To Join The War Against The Houthis
- 3.10.2026, 16:32
Riyadh is expecting military support, particularly from France and the United Kingdom.
Saudi Arabia is planning a new military operation against the Iranian-backed Houthi group in Yemen and is counting on assistance from European countries. This is reported by Bild.
Riyadh is expecting military support, in particular, from France and the United Kingdom. The head of Saudi intelligence, Turki bin Faisal Al Saud, also called on Germany to join the effort to counter the Houthis.
He emphasized that European countries have a stake in the region’s stability, as they benefit from its resources and trade routes. “Those who profit from the region’s natural resources must contribute to peace and security,” Turki said.
Several months ago, Saudi Arabia proposed establishing a military security and surveillance system for the Arabian Peninsula and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. According to the head of intelligence, no European country agreed at the time to participate in this initiative. Turki believes that Europe has a direct interest in protecting this route, since ships pass through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait on their way to the Suez Canal and from there to Europe.
At the same time, Saudi Arabia already has allies in the fight against the Houthis. According to Turki, France is participating in related operations, while the United Kingdom is assisting with in-flight refueling. Egypt, Pakistan, and Turkey are also providing support, specifically through supplies, ammunition, and intelligence.
The Saudi representative emphasized that protecting international trade routes should not remain solely the responsibility of the United States. “The whole world must be involved in this,” he said.
A meeting between the Gulf Cooperation Council and the European Union is scheduled to take place in Riyadh next month. Turki hopes that the parties will finally conclude a trade agreement, negotiations on which have been ongoing for 30 years. According to him, such an agreement could be the first step toward broader cooperation in the field of security.