Israel has begun providing intelligence to Saudi Arabia through the United States as Riyadh battles an escalating Houthi offensive that has struck deep inside the kingdom and threatened the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait, according to multiple Israeli reports Tuesday.
\n\nSaudi Arabia initially turned to the United States for assistance, prompting Washington to approach Israel, which began transferring intelligence to Riyadh through U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), Israel’s Kan News reported, citing a diplomat from a regional country.
\n\nThe Saudi request included intelligence and other assistance aimed at preventing the Iran-backed Houthis from blocking Bab el-Mandeb, the critical waterway connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden, according to Israel Hayom, which reported that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman approached Israel indirectly through CENTCOM while seeking assistance from other regional countries.
\n\nThe cooperation comes as the Houthis have expanded their campaign against Saudi Arabia, launching missiles and drones deep into the kingdom while advancing along Yemen’s Red Sea coast and around Bab el-Mandeb.
\n\nWarning sirens sounded Tuesday in Mecca, Jeddah and Taif as the confrontation escalated, while Saudi and Yemeni forces continued striking Houthi positions in Yemen. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree claimed Saudi warplanes carried out 52 strikes over the…
Original source: https://breitbart.com/
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