Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 11:33am on 18 Sep 2026,Friday International
Saudi Arabia is facing escalating security pressure after Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi forces seized key areas along the Red Sea coast and gained control around the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait. According to reports cited by India Today, Riyadh has indirectly approached Israel through US Central Command for intelligence assistance to counter Houthi threats. Pakistan, despite its Mecca Joint Defence Agreement with Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, has reportedly ruled out deploying forces for combat operations on foreign soil, while offering to defend Saudi territory. The US and UK have also ruled out direct strikes, leaving Riyadh seeking alternative regional security support. (PC: AFP)
