Saudi Arabia Reportedly Seeks Air-Defense Support as Interceptor Reserves Decline

Saudi Arabia has reportedly appealed to regional partners and Western allies for assistance in strengthening its air defenses amid continued missile and drone operations by Yemen’s armed forces against targets inside the kingdom. The Associated Press, citing two regional officials, reported on Wednesday that Riyadh had approached France, the United Kingdom, Pakistan and Egypt about establishing additional air-defense capabilities in the region. One official attributed the request to a reported reduction in the United States’ interceptor stocks following months of military operations against Iran.

The reported appeal comes as Saudi Arabia continues airstrikes in Yemen. On Thursday, Saudi aircraft reportedly carried out two strikes in the northern province of Hajjah, killing one civilian and injuring another, according to the report. Yemen’s al-Masirah television, citing local sources, said the attacks destroyed four passenger vehicles and damaged a house in Abs district. Saudi aircraft also reportedly targeted three telecommunications towers in Ta’izz province.

The escalation follows Yemen’s announcement on July 20 of a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia, which Sana’a said was a response to what it described as a prolonged “unjust and oppressive siege.” Yemeni forces have subsequently reported attacks on vessels linked to Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea. The conflict began in March 2015 when Saudi Arabia and its allies launched a military campaign and imposed a blockade on Yemen, with the United States and several Western countries providing varying forms of military, political and logistical support. The war has resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis and tens of thousands of deaths, while Saudi Arabia did not achieve its stated objective of restoring the government it supported in Sana’a.