Saudi Arabia promises to respond to Houthi attacks ‘firmly’ - Al Jazeera

**Saudi Arabia Vows a “Firm” Response to Escalating Houthi Threats**

Riyadh announced on Tuesday that it will respond “firmly” to the growing number of attacks launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, which have recently extended beyond maritime targets to threaten the holy city of Mecca. The declaration follows a week of strikes that hit Saudi oil installations, commercial ports and, for the first time, triggered a city‑wide attack alert in Mecca, prompting panic among pilgrims and residents. Saudi authorities have issued wide‑ranging security alerts, mobilising additional air‑defence assets and deploying ground forces to protect critical infrastructure and religious sites. The kingdom’s Ministry of Interior warned that any further Houthi aggression will be met with decisive military action aimed at neutralising the threat and safeguarding the safety of millions of Muslims who travel to the Kingdom each year.

The Houthi campaign, which began as a reaction to the Saudi‑led coalition’s intervention in Yemen, has intensified since the United Nations‑backed ceasefire collapsed earlier this year. The rebels have used a mix of ballistic missiles, drones and naval mines to target Saudi oil fields, the Red Sea shipping lane and, according to Saudi officials, “strategic religious locations.” Their attacks have also spilled over into neighboring waters, prompting regional powers to voice concern. India’s foreign ministry, citing its own maritime interests, warned of the potential disruption to global trade routes through the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab‑el‑Mandeb, urging all parties to respect freedom of navigation.

International reaction has been swift. While Muslim organisations across the Middle East have condemned the Houthi strikes on Mecca as an affront to Islamic sanctities, Western governments have called for an immediate de‑escalation. Reuters reported that Saudi Arabia has bolstered its air‑defence radar network and is coordinating with coalition partners to conduct joint operations against Houthi launch sites in northern Yemen. Meanwhile, NDTV highlighted that Pakistan, seeking to avoid direct confrontation with Saudi forces, is positioning its own naval assets under the guise of “operations” to monitor the Red Sea corridor. The heightened diplomatic activity underscores the broader geopolitical stakes as the Red Sea corridor remains a lifeline for global oil supplies.