Netanyahu Seeks Saudi Approval for Israeli Role in Anti-Houthi Campaign: Haaretz

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly seeking Saudi Arabia’s approval, through US mediation, for Israel to join military operations against Yemen’s Houthi movement, also known as Ansarallah, according to a report by Israeli newspaper Haaretz.

A diplomatic source quoted by the newspaper said Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) opposes direct Israeli military involvement, fearing that such a move could provoke a strong backlash among the Saudi public.

Netanyahu reportedly sees participation in the campaign against the Houthis as a potential opportunity to strengthen ties with Riyadh and advance efforts towards a future normalisation agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

The reported move comes amid heightened regional tensions, including Houthi attacks targeting Saudi interests and previous Israeli strikes against Houthi positions in Yemen. The conflict has also been linked to disruptions to commercial shipping in the Red Sea.

Saudi Arabia has been directly involved in Yemen’s conflict for years and has generally pursued a combination of defensive measures and diplomatic efforts to address the crisis.

The reported disagreement highlights the challenges facing efforts to expand Saudi-Israeli cooperation, particularly as Riyadh weighs its regional security interests against the potential domestic and political repercussions of direct cooperation with Israel in military operations against the Houthis.