Riyadh: Saudi Arabia has rejected an Israeli push to take part in military operations against Yemen’s Houthi group, according to Israeli media reports.
Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that Israel had sought Riyadh’s approval through US mediation, hoping that military cooperation could also help strengthen ties with Saudi Arabia and eventually pave the way for normalisation.
According to the report, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman rejected the proposed Israeli involvement in operations against the Houthis.
Haaretz, citing an unnamed diplomatic source, said the crown prince was not interested in Israeli military assistance because of concerns that cooperation with Israel could trigger a negative reaction among the Saudi public.
Another source familiar with the matter said Israel hoped military cooperation with Saudi Arabia could deepen bilateral ties and create conditions for a future normalisation agreement.
Saudi authorities had not immediately commented on the report.
Saudi Arabia does not have diplomatic relations with Israel and has maintained that any normalisation of ties would depend on progress towards resolving the Palestinian issue, including the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
The report comes as Saudi Arabia faces an escalation in Houthi attacks, including repeated strikes targeting airports that have caused casualties and disrupted flight operations.
The latest developments have heightened regional tensions as Israel seeks a broader role in confronting the Houthis while Riyadh weighs the political and strategic implications of any direct military cooperation with Israel.