Saudi Arabia not to compromise on security as Houthis choose ‘chaos’: MBS

What the report says

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said Saudi Arabia will not compromise on its security and will respond firmly to any threat or attack, as the kingdom faces renewed pressure from Yemen’s Houthi armed group, Al Jazeera reported on Wednesday. Speaking on behalf of King Salman at the opening of the third year of the ninth session of the Shura Council, he accused the Houthis of choosing chaos and warned that efforts to undermine Saudi security would be met decisively.

According to Al Jazeera, the crown prince also highlighted a trilateral defence arrangement with Turkiye and Pakistan, described as the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, saying it reflects Riyadh’s aim to bolster regional stability and coordinate responses to tensions. He paired that message with an insistence that Saudi Arabia is still seeking de-escalation and diplomatic solutions, even while keeping its security as a red line.

The remarks came amid an uptick in Houthi attacks in and around Saudi territory and the Red Sea corridor. Al Jazeera said Saudi forces recently intercepted missiles aimed at Taif and the Yanbu port area, while the Houthis claimed separate strikes on targets in Riyadh and on Saudi Aramco facilities in Yanbu. The speech also referred to a multinational maritime defence effort intended to protect shipping routes in the Bab al-Mandeb and broader Red Sea area, underscoring how the conflict is affecting regional security and trade.