War on Iran: Saudi Arabia warns of imminent attacks by Iraqi groups and Yemen's Houthis

What Happened

A senior Saudi official, speaking anonymously to Reuters, warned that Iraqi armed groups and Yemen's Houthis could soon launch coordinated attacks against the kingdom, allegedly under the supervision of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Intelligence gathered by Saudi Arabia, the United States, and other regional countries indicated civilian and economic sites—including energy infrastructure, ports, and airports—could be targeted. Saudi Arabia detected the movement of drones and missiles, suggesting preparations for attacks from Iraq to the north and Yemen to the south. The warning followed Saudi and US strikes on Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) headquarters in Iraq on 29 July, which killed more than 20 and wounded at least 30, after Riyadh blamed the groups for drone attacks on its oil facilities. Iraqi armed groups vowed retaliation, though Hadi al-Amiri of the Badr Organisation urged a delay. Meanwhile, the Houthis claimed an attack on Najran airport on Tuesday and killed at least 17 government soldiers in Marib and Hadramout provinces on Thursday, with some sources reporting 58 dead.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The warning signals a potential sharp escalation in the multi-theatre proxy war between Iran-aligned forces and Saudi Arabia, now directly entangled after recent Saudi and US strikes in Iraq. A coordinated attack campaign from both Iraq and Yemen would test Saudi defences and could disrupt global energy flows, especially given ongoing Houthi Red Sea disruptions. It also highlights the growing regionalisation of the Israeli-US conflict with Iran that began on 28 February, drawing in both Gulf states and non-state actors in a volatile constellation.

Watch For

The expected signing of a joint defence agreement between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey in Mecca on Friday; any retaliatory strikes from Iraq or Yemen in the coming days; official responses from Iran or the Houthis; and further intelligence disclosures or military pre-positioning by the US and Saudi forces.