As tensions rise again in Yemen, the real story is not simply one playing out between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia. The latest developments reported by Reuters in an exclusive story point to a far more consequential equation taking shape behind the scenes: an increasingly concrete security strategy involving Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye.
According to Reuters, Pakistan conveyed Riyadh’s message to Tehran, calling on Iran to ensure that the Houthis stop attacking Saudi Arabia. Iran responded that it does not control the Houthis. Yet, two Iranian sources cited by Reuters claim that Tehran had asked the Houthis last week to attack Saudi Arabia, promising additional funding and weapons in return. They further alleged that several commanders from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had traveled to Yemen to help coordinate the attacks.
If these allegations are accurate, Iran’s strategy is fairly clear: use the Houthis to increase pressure on Riyadh and put Saudi Arabia in a more difficult position vis-à-vis Washington. But the maneuver could backfire.
Rather than isolating Saudi Arabia, attacks against Riyadh are consolidating its defense coordination with Pakistan and Türkiye. Reuters reports that senior military representatives from Pakistan and Türkiye held discussions in Saudi Arabia on how a possible response should be handled. Even more significant is the reported understanding among the three countries that they will not deploy their forces into Yemeni territory. In other words, for now, the objective is not a joint ground operation in Yemen, but the collective defense of Saudi territory. That distinction is critical.
