- Saudi Arabia prepares for Iran-backed group coordinated attacks.
- Intelligence warns of targeting energy, port, airport infrastructure.
- Riyadh vows strong response, upholding regional diplomatic efforts.
Saudi Arabia is preparing for the possibility of coordinated attacks by Iran-backed groups after intelligence reports indicated that Yemen’s Houthis and Iraqi militias could target the kingdom under the supervision of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), according to Reuters and Al Arabiya.
A senior Saudi official told Reuters that Riyadh had received intelligence from Saudi Arabia, the United States and other regional countries warning that civilian and economic sites could be targeted. The reported targets include energy infrastructure, ports and airports.
The official also said Saudi authorities had detected movements of drones and missiles, raising concerns over potential coordinated operations launched from both the north and the south.
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Intelligence Points To Coordinated Threat
According to Al Arabiya, which cited a senior Saudi source, multiple intelligence reports suggested coordination between the Houthis, Iraqi militias and the IRGC for potential attacks on Saudi territory.
The reports said possible targets include oil and energy facilities, critical infrastructure, airports and ports across the kingdom.
The Saudi official told Reuters that the reported threat was particularly alarming as Riyadh continued pursuing de-escalation and a negotiated settlement in the region. The official added that the planned attacks could be intended to undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts involving regional parties, including Iran.
Riyadh Says It Is Prepared To Respond
Saudi Arabia said its security cooperation with the United States remained strong at all levels, including operational coordination with US Central Command.
The senior official said the kingdom was prepared to take all necessary measures in response to any aggression. Riyadh has not announced any changes to its public security posture but indicated that preparations were underway following the intelligence assessments.
The reports underscore growing concerns over the possibility of coordinated attacks targeting strategic and economic assets in the kingdom.
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Regional Tensions Continue To Escalate
The reported threat comes against the backdrop of rising tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran-backed groups operating across the region.
On July 29, Saudi Arabia said it carried out strikes alongside US Central Command against Iran-backed groups in Iraq after accusing them of launching drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities. Iraqi militias later warned that they would respond.
Meanwhile, tensions with Yemen’s Houthis have intensified in recent weeks after the Iran-aligned group announced a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea and claimed responsibility for attacks on Saudi shipping and military targets. Riyadh has since responded with strikes on Houthi military positions in Yemen.
