Iran-backed Houthi rebels warn against joining Saudi Arabia in Yemen’s growing civil war

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   Turkey Offers Military Support to Saudi Arabia Amid Houthi Escalation

   Turkey has signaled readiness to meet Saudi Arabian military needs under a defense pact as Iran-backed Houthi rebels intensify attacks. The Houthis have wounded 73 people and ignited fires at Saudi oil facilities, while appearing to seize control of the Bab al-Mandeb strait. While Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has appealed to President Donald Trump for help, the U.S. has held off on strikes and warned citizens of travel disruptions. The Houthis have issued warnings to other nations against joining the Saudi coalition in the Yemeni civil war.

   Why it matters

   The conflict is part of a broader regional instability involving U.S. and Israeli strikes in Iran that began in February. Control of the Bab al-Mandeb strait is critical for global shipping and oil transit. The shift toward Turkish military support suggests a diversifying of Saudi security partnerships as U.S. intervention remains uncertain.

   What is confirmed

   • Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia wounded 73 people and caused fires at oil facilities.
   • Turkey expressed readiness to meet Saudi Arabian military needs under a defense pact.
   • The U.S. Embassy warned Americans of travel disruptions due to Houthi attacks.
   • Iran-backed Houthi rebels warned other nations against joining Saudi Arabia in the Yemeni civil war.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The Houthis appear to have taken control of the Bab al-Mandeb strait.
   • President Donald Trump weighed strikes against the Houthis before deciding to hold off.
   • Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman made a direct appeal to Donald Trump for military help.

   What to watch next

   • U.S. decision on whether to launch strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen
   • Formal activation of the Turkey-Saudi defense pact for military deployment
   • Confirmation of Houthi control over the Bab al-Mandeb strait
   Sources used for this update (13)

   1. Reuters — Turkey says it could help meet Saudi military needs under defence pact
   2. Haaretz — Live updates • U.S. Embassy warns Americans of travel disruptions amid Houthi Attacks
   3. Bloomberg.com — Turkey Signals Military Support for Saudi Arabia Against Houthis
   4. aljazeera.com — Turkish FM says ready to meet Saudi defence needs – what does that mean?
   5. dailysabah.com — Türkiye hails ‘game-changing’ Mecca alliance, offers support to Saudis
   6. CNN — Frustration grows as Houthis widen Middle East conflict with US unwilling to intervene
   7. AP News — Iran-backed Houthi rebels warn against joining Saudi Arabia in Yemen’s growing civil war
   8. The New York Times — Trump Gets Caught in a Dilemma Over a Saudi Plea for Military Help
   9. timesofindia.indiatimes.com — US-Iran War Live Updates: US tells citizens to leave Iran immediately, warns of travel disruptions
   10. Axios — Trump weighed strikes against Houthis in Yemen before holding off
   11. www.cfr.org — The Houthis Seized a Critical Strait and Attacked Saudi Arabia. Here’s What It Means for the U.S.
   12. www.wfmz.com — Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia ignite fires at oil facilities and wound 73 people
   confidence 90%