On Monday, Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman called U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to review bilateral defense cooperation and the growing threat posed by Yemen’s Houthi militia, which has been conducting attacks on Saudi territory.
Both Anadolu and the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) noted that the call covered strategic defense cooperation between the two countries, a review of regional security dynamics, and ongoing efforts to de‑escalate hostilities in Yemen, where a Saudi‑led coalition has fought the Houthis since 2015.
Prince Khalid said on the U.S. social media platform X that the discussion included “regional and global developments, including efforts to de‑escalate tensions in the region and the continued Houthi terrorist attacks against the Kingdom.”
The Houthi militia, designated a terrorist organization by the U.N., has repeatedly fired rockets and drones into Saudi skies, prompting the coalition to deploy interceptors and anti‑aircraft systems. Saudi officials have described the attacks as an ongoing threat that necessitates close coordination with U.S. partners.
According to a 2‑hour‑old AlArabiya report, Prince Khalid reiterated that he had spoken with his U.S. counterpart on Monday about regional tensions and Houthi attacks; however, the outlet has not provided corroborating details from the U.S. side, leaving the full extent of the conversation unverified.
In related developments, the Saudi‑led coalition has recently intercepted a ballistic missile aimed at its southern region, underscoring the heightened security environment in the area.
