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Saudi Arabia is coming under increased military pressure on both its northern and southern borders, marking one of the sternest challenges yet for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Iran-backed Iraqi militias recently forced the closure of the kingdom’s East-West pipeline, which had emerged as a key conduit for oil exports following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, Houthi rebels in Yemen, also supported by Tehran, have increased their onslaught against southern targets, seizing strategic islands in the Bab el-Mandeb waterway. All the while, Washington’s military support for the kingdom is in question. “This is a test on all fronts,” an expert told the Financial Times. “This is a test of [MBS’] leadership in the kingdom.”
document fetched 2026-09-16 02:56 · canonical https://semafor.com/article/09/15/2026/saudi-arabia-under-tense-military-pressure-from-iran-houthis