Saudi Arabia has indirectly reached out to Israel for intelligence assistance against the Houthis through US Central Command, despite Riyadh not recognising Israel or maintaining diplomatic relations with it, as per a report by The Jerusalem Post. The move comes as Houthi forces intensify attacks on Saudi targets and impose maritime restrictions that have created an economic threat around the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab, while Pakistan, despite being part of the new Mecca Joint Defence Agreement with Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, has not committed to immediate military action against the Houthis.

The Israel-Saudi discussions, mediated by CENTCOM, are reportedly focused on intelligence that could help Riyadh track Houthi deployments and assess potential operations. The outreach is particularly notable because Saudi Arabia does not recognise Israel and the two countries have no formal diplomatic relations.

The talks come as the Houthis have expanded their control along Yemen’s Red Sea coast and threatened shipping through the Bab al-Mandab Strait. Reports have described the group’s maritime restrictions as a blockade affecting Saudi shipping and adding to pressure on the kingdom’s energy and trade routes.

Diplomatic sources cited by the Post said the talks, conducted through CENTCOM, were intended to help Saudi Arabia strengthen its ability to defend against the Houthis.