Shea Levin — text status

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has sought help from regional countries in confronting the Iran-backed Houthis as their advance threatens the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, one of the world’s most important shipping routes. Israel Hayom reports that Riyadh also made an indirect request to Israel through U.S. CENTCOM for intelligence and other assistance, while Saudi Arabia has separately approached Gulf states and Egypt. The request comes as the Houthis consolidate positions along Yemen’s Red Sea coast and increase their ability to threaten shipping through the strait.