Radical Media - by Maajid Nawaz

Muslim Nato Activated: Pakistan & Turkey Back Saudi Arabia

October 8, 2026·3 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit maajidnawaz.substack.comThis Radical Dispatch Newszine - below - is provided free for all subscribers.At the top of this post, Resistance Radio presents our WARRIOR CREED video/audio podcast from , with a transcript provided - Middle East Defence Pact Activated: Pakistan & Turkey Back Saudi Arabia.This podcast can be set to either audiovisual, or just audio, and is for premium members of Radical Media only. To listen, basic members should upgrade to the premium service here:Read on now for our free Radical Dispatch.Muslim Nato Activated: Pakistan & Turkey Back Saudi Arabia- A Radical Dispatch1) Saudi Launches Yemen Counter-OffensiveThe internationally recognised beleaguered government of Yemen, alongside the Saudis have launched a counter-offensive against the Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen, who last month overran a critical shipping chokepoint that leads into the Suez canal, known as the Bab al-Mandeb strait. The Times reports 5th October 2026:“Yemen’s government forces, backed by Saudi airstrikes, closed on the strategic Bab al-Mandeb Strait after launching an offensive against the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels who control the Red Sea waterway. The Saudi-led coalition said the operation began with at least 100 airstrikes, which provided cover for the Yemeni government troops as they attempted to reverse a Houthi advance last month that put them in control of the strait…Rashad al-Alimi, the head of the internationally recognised government of Yemen, announced the operation to retake the country in a statement issued from Saudi Arabia as Saudi fighter jets struck Houthi positions with American and British logistical support.” Somewhat alarmingly, the Houthis fought back and captured the head of the Yemen government’s home. The Times reports 5th October 2026:“Hours later the Houthis captured his home in the region of Taiz. In a video several rebels lined up outside Alimi’s house to chant their slogan: ‘God is the greatest, death to America, death to Israel, a curse on the Jews and victory to Islam’.’’With the Iranian theocracy already choking a critical exit route for Saudi oil via the Strait of Hormuz to the north of the Arabian Peninsula, the Houthi seizure of the Bab al-Mandeb route had threatened to close the Red Sea and international access to the Suez canal, sending global energy costs skyrocketing. The strategic significance of this conflict is gleaned from the map below.The Times reports 22nd September 2026:The Saudis had repeatedly requested international help, only to receive largely symbolic refuelling air support from Britain under the new PM Andy Burnham. The Times reports 22nd September 2026:“Andy Burnham has agreed to provide British military support for Saudi Arabia as it counters attacks by Houthi fighters. In his first major foreign policy intervention, the prime minister said RAF planes would support “defensive” air-to-air refuelling for Saudi strikes.”Trump has so far consistently refused to get drawn into the region any further, and remains focused instead on settling the route of the conflict, with Iran. The Times reports 5th October 2026:“The US has ruled out direct intervention in Yemen, but sources say it is actively assisting Saudi Arabia with targeting intelligence and helping refuel its jets as they conduct air strikes on the Houthis. Britain also announced it would assist in refuelling Saudi jets and France pledged to send aerial defences to the kingdom….A resolution in Yemen is unlikely without a wider deal between the US and Iran, but the US, which is enforcing its own naval blockade of Iran,

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