Yemen on the edge: Reinforcing forces on the front line with the Houthis - and the European country that intercepted missiles for Saudi Arabia
Parallel to the escalation with Iran, concern about an outbreak is growing on the Yemen front: Reuters reported that the Houthis and Yemeni government forces are reinforcing their positions. Riyadh, losing patience, has begun striking back. Notably, missiles fired at the port of Yanbu were intercepted by a Greek Patriot battery team stationed in the kingdom.
Parallel to the escalation with Iran, concern about an outbreak is growing on the Yemen front. Reuters reported that the Houthis and Yemeni government forces supported by Saudi Arabia are reinforcing their positions on the front line. Riyadh, which is "losing patience," conducted airstrikes last night in response to Houthi aggression.
The Houthis launched two missiles at the port of Yanbu on the Red Sea coast—a Saudi alternative to the blocked Strait of Hormuz. According to reports, the missiles were intercepted by a Greek military team operating a Patriot battery in the kingdom. Experts assessing the situation for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman suggest that peace is becoming increasingly unattainable.
Risk of Major Escalation
After four years of relative calm, there is growing fear that this theater could ignite in parallel with the escalation against Iran. On Friday, Saudi Arabia bombed Houthi targets in response to an attack on a Saudi ship as part of the "maritime blockade" imposed on Riyadh. The rebels responded this morning with further attacks on Saudi cities.
While the Houthis have not officially confirmed their targets, pro-Iranian channels claim that missiles were launched at Yanbu, a city connected to a strategic oil pipeline used to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, which Riyadh can no longer utilize due to Iranian threats.
The Role of Greek Air Defense
Surprisingly, the two missiles were intercepted by an air defense team from Greece, which has been operating in the kingdom since 2021. A Greek security official confirmed that the missiles were aimed at oil refining facilities. This marks only the second time the Greek team has engaged the battery since its deployment.
Historical Context and Strategic Shift
Saudi Arabia has been engaged in a long-standing conflict with the Houthis since they seized Sana'a in 2014. A 2015 coalition intervention failed to defeat the rebels, leading to a 2022 truce. Now, that truce is crumbling. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who hoped to focus on economic development, finds himself under renewed Iranian-backed fire.
Baraa Shiban, an analyst at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), noted that these are the most serious preparations for a confrontation he has seen since 2022. Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abd al-Salam stated that Saudi Arabia has "turned itself into a clear enemy of Yemen" and that the maritime blockade is merely the first step.
The Iranian Connection
Reuters reported that on July 13, an Iranian plane landed in Yemen carrying IRGC commanders, military advisors, missile and UAV equipment, and gold to fund Houthi operations. This triggered a Saudi strike on Sana'a airport. Sources indicate that Tehran requested the Houthis to close Red Sea oil routes should the US attack Iranian energy infrastructure.
International Stance
US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose "heavy military punishment" on Iran and the Houthis following attacks on Saudi oil tankers. Analysts suggest that the international landscape has shifted; Houthi attacks on international shipping since October 7, 2023, and the detention of UN staff have hardened global sentiment against them, potentially providing Saudi Arabia with more leeway for military intervention than in the past.
