Saudi Arabia braces for “imminent” coordinated attack by Iran-backed groups: Reuters
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Saudi Arabia expects imminent coordinated attacks from both its northern and southern borders by Iraqi armed groups and Yemen’s Houthis, operating under the supervision of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, an unidentified senior Saudi official said on Thursday, cited by Reuters.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official cited intelligence reports from Saudi Arabia, the United States and other regional countries indicating that civilian and economic sites could be targeted.
These include energy infrastructure, ports and airports. Saudi authorities have also observed the movement of drones and missiles, pointing to coordinated operations from both directions.
The official described the reported threats as particularly alarming at a time when Riyadh continues to pursue de-escalation and a negotiated settlement.
Contacts with all parties, including Iran, and mediation efforts “appeared to be moving in the right direction,” the official said, adding that the planned attacks could be intended to disrupt those diplomatic efforts.
Saudi-US cooperation remains “very high” at all levels, including operationally with US Central Command, according to the official, who stated that the kingdom is prepared to take all necessary measures to respond to any aggression.
Tensions have escalated sharply in recent weeks.
On July 29, Saudi Arabia conducted joint strikes with US Central Command against Iran-backed groups in Iraq after blaming them for drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities.
The Iraqi groups vowed to respond.
From the south, Yemen’s Houthis imposed what they call a naval blockade on the kingdom in the Red Sea and claimed a series of attacks on Saudi shipping and military targets.
Saudi forces have answered with strikes on military sites in Yemen.
Earlier assessments by Saudi Arabia and regional partners indicated that Houthi fighters had already joined Iraqi armed groups in launching attacks from Iraqi territory against Saudi oil facilities in the kingdom’s eastern province, the main crude-producing hub.
Those operations, officials said, were supervised by the IRGC, reflecting deepening coordination among Iran-aligned groups.
