Iran Shifts Attention from its Crises by Escalating Houthi Attacks against Saudi Arabia

Saudi-led coalition spokesman, Turki al-Malki, displays the debris of a ballistic missile launched by the Houthi towards Riyadh during a news conference in Riyadh on March 29, 2020. (Reuters)
Saudi-led coalition spokesman, Turki al-Malki, displays the debris of a ballistic missile launched by the Houthi towards Riyadh during a news conference in Riyadh on March 29, 2020. (Reuters)
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Iran Shifts Attention from its Crises by Escalating Houthi Attacks against Saudi Arabia

Saudi-led coalition spokesman, Turki al-Malki, displays the debris of a ballistic missile launched by the Houthi towards Riyadh during a news conference in Riyadh on March 29, 2020. (Reuters)
Saudi-led coalition spokesman, Turki al-Malki, displays the debris of a ballistic missile launched by the Houthi towards Riyadh during a news conference in Riyadh on March 29, 2020. (Reuters)

The Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen have upped their attacks against Saudi Arabia in the past two weeks. These failed attacks have coincided with a series of mysterious explosions that have rocked various facilities in Iran.

The latest Houthi escalation took place this week when they fired seven booby-trapped drones and four ballistic missiles at the Kingdom. They were all intercepted and downed by the Saudi-led Arab coalition.

Observers said it was not unusual for Tehran to seek such an escalation, especially ahead of the American presidential elections in November, and given the numerous local crises it is grappling with. They noted that it resorts to escalation in order to pressure the international community and save its regime.

Senior research fellow at the Gulf Research Center, Dr. Hesham Alghannam said that every time Iran endures a setback, it carries out a flagrant attack in an attempt to divert attention away from the pressure it is coming under.

The pressure is aimed at altering its hostile behavior against its neighbors and the world. The international community, therefore, must be alert to its tricks and connect developments to each other, he urged. It must not be blind to the fact that a regional party - Iran - is involved in Yemen and does not want its crisis to end.

The recent Houthi attack brings to 322 the number of ballistic missiles and 379 the number of drones they have fired at Saudi Arabia since the eruption of the Yemeni conflict.



Saudi Crown Prince Performs Eid al-Fitr Prayer and Receives Princes, Senior Officials

Jjoining the Crown Prince in the prayer were Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, along with princes, scholars, ministers, and senior officials. SPA
Jjoining the Crown Prince in the prayer were Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, along with princes, scholars, ministers, and senior officials. SPA
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Saudi Crown Prince Performs Eid al-Fitr Prayer and Receives Princes, Senior Officials

Jjoining the Crown Prince in the prayer were Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, along with princes, scholars, ministers, and senior officials. SPA
Jjoining the Crown Prince in the prayer were Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, along with princes, scholars, ministers, and senior officials. SPA

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, performed the Eid al-Fitr prayer on Sunday morning in Makkah alongside worshippers who filled the Grand Mosque and its surrounding courtyards.

Also joining the Crown Prince in the prayer were Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, along with princes, scholars, ministers, and senior officials.

After the prayer, the Crown Prince received the princes, scholars and senior officials who extended their greetings on the occasion of the Eid.

Everyone joined the Crown Prince for a breakfast banquet.