Thursday, Sep 17, 2026
1 Saudi Arabia Requests Air Defense Help as Missile Interceptors Run Low↩︎ ⚔️ War Sep 16, 8:47 PM EDT 177/45
Saudi Arabia has asked France, Britain, Pakistan and Egypt for air defense support as continued Houthi attacks from Yemen leave it running low on missile interceptors, the Associated Press reported. The appeal comes because the US, the kingdom’s main ally and arms supplier, has also seen its interceptor stocks dwindle.
Britain confirmed a close defense partnership but declined further comment. Turkey and Pakistan told AP they had received no request under the defense pact they signed with Saudi Arabia last month. The kingdom must protect military bases, government sites and oil facilities spread across a country the size of Western Europe.
Houthi ballistic missile and drone attacks on Khamis Mushait, Abha and Taif on Sept. 14 injured 13 civilians and damaged seven homes and two vehicles, the Saudi-led coalition said. Coalition spokesman Turki al-Malki said the injuries ranged from minor to moderate and pledged to respond “responsibly and firmly.”