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## Overview Saudi Arabia is lining up international military and diplomatic support as Houthi attacks mount, with the UK and France deploying forces to defend the kingdom and Pakistan and Turkiye edging closer toward direct involvement (Al Jazeera, September 25; FT, October 20). The kingdom has also postponed its flagship FII investment summit to 2027 following a string of attacks (Bloomberg, October 20). Oil prices have now risen on fears of broader escalation (Arab News, October 22). Coalition air defenses continue intercepting Houthi missiles and drones aimed at Riyadh and southern Saudi Arabia (Arab News, October 23). ## Key Details - France is sending military assets to protect the Yanbu oil terminal, a critical Saudi energy facility (Al Jazeera, September 25). - The UK is deploying jets to help defend Saudi Arabia against Houthi attacks, as the kingdom has been "pummelled by strikes" from the group in recent days (FT, October 20). - Pakistani and Turkish military chiefs traveled to Riyadh for urgent talks, with both countries reportedly "edging closer" to joining the Saudi war against the Houthis, though both remain cautious about actual involvement (Al Jazeera, September 25). - Saudi Arabia has postponed its Future Investment Initiative (FII) summit — its flagship international investment conference — to 2027, following multiple recent Houthi attacks on the kingdom (Bloomberg, October 20). - The developments come against a backdrop of broader Middle East tensions, including Yemen's government pleading for international help at the UN General Assembly (Al Jazeera, September 25). - Fresh Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia on October 22 pushed oil prices up more than $1 a barrel, with Brent crude rising 1.77 percent to $110.75 and WTI gaining 1.47 percent to $98.58, amid concerns over a broader escalation and further Middle East supply disruptions (Arab News, October 22). - Early Friday (October 23), the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen said its air defenses intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched by the Houthis toward Riyadh shortly after 4 a.m.; coalition spokesman Maj. Gen. Turki Al-Maliki also said air defenses earlier intercepted and destroyed two Houthi drones launched toward Saudi Arabia's southern region around 1 a.m. (Arab News, October 23). ## Why It Matters Escalating Houthi attacks threaten critical Gulf energy infrastructure and shipping routes, with implications for global oil markets and the broader regional security architecture involving Saudi Arabia, Iran-aligned forces, and Western powers. The addition of UK jets alongside French forces signals a widening Western military commitment to Saudi defense, while the postponement of the FII summit — a high-profile showcase for Saudi economic ambitions — suggests the attacks are now materially disrupting the kingdom's international standing and investment agenda, not just its security posture. The latest attacks have begun directly moving oil markets, with Brent crude surpassing $110 a barrel, indicating the crisis is now translating into tangible global economic effects beyond regional security concerns. The continued interception of missiles and drones aimed directly at the capital Riyadh, rather than only peripheral energy infrastructure, suggests the Houthis are escalating the geographic scope and frequency of attacks, testing coalition air defenses on a near-daily basis. A potential expansion of the coalition to include Pakistan and Turkiye remains unconfirmed given their stated caution.