Saudi Arabia Warns of Imminent Attacks

PHOTO CAPTION: Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan meets Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, ahead of the expected signing of a defence deal between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, August 7, 2026. Murat Cetinmuhurdar/Turkish Presidential Press Office/Handout via REUTERS

RIYADH, Aug. 7 — Saudi Arabia expects imminent coordinated attacks by Iraqi militias from the north and Yemen’s Houthis from the south under the supervision of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a senior Saudi official said.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said late Thursday that intelligence from Saudi Arabia, the United States and other regional countries indicated civilian and economic sites could be targeted, including energy infrastructure, ports and airports. Saudi Arabia had also observed drones and missiles being moved, suggesting preparations for coordinated operations from both directions, and was ready to take all necessary measures in response to “any aggression,” the official said.

The warning comes as the kingdom has become increasingly exposed to the broader regional conflict. Saudi Arabia has faced attacks from Yemen’s Houthis and Iraqi militias and in late July carried out strikes alongside U.S. Central Command against Iran-backed groups in Iraq after blaming them for drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities. Iraqi militias said they would respond to those strikes.

Amid the escalating threats, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey are expected to sign a joint defence agreement in Mecca on Friday, according to sources familiar with the matter. Reuters reported last week that Saudi Arabia had assessed that the Houthis and Iraqi militias attacked the kingdom together from Iraq under IRGC supervision.

Warning comes as diplomacy advances

The Saudi official said the reported threats were “particularly alarming” because Riyadh was continuing efforts to de-escalate the conflict and pursue a negotiated settlement. Contacts with all sides, including Iran, and mediation efforts appeared to be moving “in the right direction,” the official said, adding that the planned attacks could be intended to disrupt those diplomatic efforts.

Regional officials have said Gulf states and Iran were nearing an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz under a temporary arrangement intended to allow broader negotiations aimed at ending the Iran war.

Separately, an attack by Yemen’s Houthis on southern Saudi Arabia wounded 11 civilians Thursday, a military official said. Major General Turki al-Maliki, spokesman for the Saudi-led military coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognized government, said early Friday that the attack in Najran Province wounded seven Saudis, one Yemeni, two Egyptians and one Pakistani national.

There was no immediate comment from the Houthis or Iran on the coalition’s statement. The Houthis had claimed responsibility Tuesday for an attack on Najran airport, part of a broader escalation in which the Iran-aligned group has targeted Saudi military sites, infrastructure and shipping.

The Yemeni government also said the Houthis killed at least 17 government troops Thursday after attacking what the group described as Saudi-backed military deployments in Marib and Hadramout provinces. Saudi Arabia’s decade-long conflict with the Tehran-aligned Houthis has become increasingly intertwined with the wider regional war, while Houthi actions including a Red Sea blockade have disrupted Saudi oil exports.

(Source: Reuters)