Saudi Arabia is bracing for a “multiple coordinated attacks” by Iraqi militias working with Iran-backed Houthis, a Saudi official told CNN, as the broader Middle East conflict threatens to widen.
The official cited “multiple intelligence reports” from Saudi Arabia, the US and regional countries indicating the Iraqi militias “in coordination with the Houthis” are planning to attack the Gulf nation “in the very near future” under the guidance of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The reports of impending attacks come a day after the Houthis claimed responsibility for an attack on a Saudi oil tanker in the Gulf of Aden, a key shipping route. In the past few weeks, Saudi Arabia has come under missile attacks from the Houthis in Yemen and drone attacks from pro-Iranian militias in Iraq.
The official expressed alarm on Thursday, saying the reports came as Saudi Arabia was pursuing de-escalation and when Iran-related negotiations appeared to be heading in the right direction.
“Saudi Arabia will take all necessary measures to deal with any aggression,” the official said.
