IDF intelligence continues to provide Saudi Arabia with exceptional capabilities to assist its military operations against the Houthis through US mediation, a defense official confirmed on Thursday.
The assistance is being provided in accordance with Israel's national interests and directives from the political leadership, the official said, emphasizing that the Shi'ite-Sunni confrontation reflects developments taking place beneath the surface across the Middle East.
According to the official, Sunni countries are watching the escalation led by the Houthis against neighboring Saudi Arabia, with encouragement and support from Iran, and understand that they could be next.
Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, is concentrating its efforts on launching powerful attacks against an extensive range of targets in Houthi-controlled areas, seeking to degrade critical military capabilities, including infrastructure.
"Two main points need to be made about this. First, it serves Israel's interests quite well because it wears down the military strength of an Israeli enemy that is preparing and planning to harm us in the future. In addition, we are monitoring and observing methods of operation and tactics, and learning a great deal from what is happening there, including about weapons that are not necessarily manufactured by the Houthis," the official said.
IDF helps Saudi Arabia combat Houthis
The defense official added that the relentless attacks against the Houthis are eroding their capabilities and forcing them to expend considerable effort.
"The Houthis are accustomed to building up their forces, not employing them on this scale. They are a serious enemy, well structured for the long term, but this presents them with a significant challenge. It is no coincidence that they operate sequentially rather than simultaneously against their enemies."
The official further said that the pressure on Saudi Arabia is reshaping alliances and relationships across the Middle East, creating new opportunities.
"The question here is who will intervene on Saudi Arabia's behalf. There is apprehension among countries, but we assess that there will be intervention. Everything remains open, and it is not too late for that to happen."
Meanwhile, the IDF is completing preparations across the sea, air, land, and electromagnetic spectrum domains for a potential Houthi attack as part of a multi-front scenario involving Iran, Hezbollah, and Shi'ite militias operating from Iraq.
The preparations include not only the integration of new technologies and sensors, along with improved connectivity within the IDF and between organizations, but also coordination with the US military.
The US military has a clear interest in protecting Israel's home front because thousands of American troops, aircraft, and US military systems, including air defense systems, are stationed in Israel.