Saudis seek allies’ help as missile defences run low in fight with Houthis

The kingdom’s main ally and arms supplier, the US, has seen its own stock of interceptors dwindle because of the war with Iran

Saudi Arabia is running low on missile interceptors and has turned to regional and Western allies for help as its stand-off with Houthi rebels in Yemen drags on, two regional officials said on Wednesday.

The officials said the Saudis have asked France, Britain, Pakistan and Egypt to deploy air-defence support to the region to help defend against missiles and drones fired by Houthis and other Iran-backed groups.

The outreach was initiated because Saudi Arabia’s main ally and arms supplier, the United States, has seen its own stock of interceptors dwindle over the course of a six-month war with Iran, one official said. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to brief the media.

Saudi officials did not immediately respond to a request seeking comment.