Saudi Suspicions Over Intelligence Leak Enabling Sanaa to Target Sensitive Military Sites

NYN | Reports and Analyses 

The Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar reported that the confrontation between Sanaa and Riyadh is heading toward further escalation, amid intensified attacks on Saudi mobilization sites and military depots along the West Coast as well as in the Taiz and Marib governorates, amid talk of Saudi suspicions regarding the leak of sensitive intelligence.

According to the report, recent days witnessed the targeting of military sites and weapons depots in the vicinity of Al-Mocha city, leading to massive explosions. Some of the strikes coincided with the arrival of a Saudi committee assigned to investigate the targeting of secret depots belonging to the Riyadh-led Joint Operations Command.

Suspicions of Leaking Military Intelligence

The newspaper reported that Saudi investigations are examining the possibility that precise information regarding supply locations and military movements reached Sanaa, pointing to suspicions implicating forces and commanders loyal to Abu Dhabi, who are believed to have potentially exposed Saudi military and logistical sites.

These developments come alongside escalating operations against mobilization sites along the West Coast, Taiz, and Marib, at a time when Saudi forces are attempting to mitigate the risks of weapons depots and supply centers being targeted.

Targeting a Vessel Carrying Weapons

In a related context, the report noted the targeting of a ship carrying weapons and ammunition to the port of Al-Mocha, mentioning that Reuters reported the vessel Tihama, flying the Tanzanian flag, is linked to entities within the Saudi maritime shipping sector.

The paper also cited Lloyd’s List as reporting that the attack resulted in the deaths of four crew members and injured four others, in an incident that reflects, according to the report, the broadening risks facing supply lines tied to military operations in Yemen.

Evacuation of Saudi Military Sites

According to sources quoted by the paper in Aden, Riyadh issued directives to evacuate a number of its camps and military sites across several Yemeni governorates, including Al-Anad Airbase in Lahj, its headquarters in Aden, as well as Riyan Airport in Hadhramaut and Al-Ghaydah Airport in Al-Mahrah.

The sources linked these moves to fears of widespread intelligence exposure regarding Saudi troop movements and bases, and the heightened probability of them being targeted as a result.

Difficulty Containing the Escalation

Al-Akhbar considers the prospects for containing the escalation to remain limited, despite moves by regional and international mediators to push for calm, given Ansar Allah’s adherence to its humanitarian demands and its conditioning of any return to de-escalation on the implementation of the “Roadmap.”

In this context, the paper quoted the head of the negotiating delegation, Mohamed Abdelsalam, as confirming the resumption of regional and international communications and efforts aimed at containing the escalation, while accusing Saudi Arabia of procrastination and refusing dialogue.

According to Abdelsalam, the previous years of calm were utilized—from his perspective—to complete military preparations, reflecting the persistent divide between the two parties regarding the conditions for returning to a path of de-escalation.

Diplomatic Track Amid Field Escalation

This comes at a time when military developments intersect with diplomatic efforts to contain tensions, amid indications that continued field operations could increase pressure on the parties involved and push for the reactivation of negotiation channels.

While Sanaa outlines humanitarian demands it deems necessary to fulfill prior to returning to calm, Riyadh faces—according to the report—growing security and military challenges in securing its positions and supply lines inside Yemen.