Govt welcomed truce extension in Yemen. Riyadh 3 Aug welcomed truce extension in Yemen, saying deal “primarily aims to reach a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire” (see Yemen). Terrorism suspect wanted in connection with 2015 bombing of Mosque in Abha city 10 Aug detonated explosive belt in Jeddah city as security forces attempted to arrest him, killing himself and injuring four. U.S. State Dept 2 Aug approved potential sale of Patriot missiles in $3bn arms deal. Saudi and U.S. 9 Aug announced joint military drills “Native Fury 22” in Yanbu and al-Kharj governorates for eighth time beginning mid-month. In effort to quash domestic dissent, court 15 Aug sentenced women’s rights activist Salma al-Shehab to 34 years in prison for tweets critical of govt; U.S. 22 Aug raised “significant concerns” over sentencing. Iranian foreign ministry 5 Aug issued public statement demanding release of Iranian national detained by Saudi Arabia during hajj pilgrimage.

U.S. President Biden attended multilateral summit in Jeddah, while govt announced minor confidence-building measures with Israel. U.S. President Biden 15-16 July visited Saudi Arabia to attend bilateral U.S.-Saudi meeting and Gulf Cooperation Council+3 (Iraq, Egypt and Jordan) summit in Jeddah city; Biden 15 July met King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. In small confidence-building steps, Saudi Arabia 15 July opened airspace to all air carriers, including flights to and from Israel; U.S. same day announced deal to remove multinational peacekeeping mission from disputed Red Sea island Tiran by end of year, indicating Saudi recognition of Israel’s maritime access to Red Sea.

Warring parties extended truce in Yemen and U.S. President Biden announced visit to Jeddah port city in July. Saudi-led coalition and Huthis refrained from cross-border attacks after warring parties in Yemen 2 June renewed April truce for two more months (see Yemen). News 13 June surfaced that Oman facilitated talks in May on border security between govt and Huthis. U.S. White House 14 June confirmed U.S. President Biden will visit Saudi Arabia in July as part of first Middle East trip of his presidency; Biden is expected to meet King Salman and, informally, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. In sign of warming ties with Türkiye, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman 22 June visited Turkish capital Ankara to meet President Erdoğan, in first visit to country since killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018. Iranian foreign ministry 27 June said Riyadh wanted to resume talks with Iran; fifth round of talks were held in April. After months of resisting U.S. and European pressure to increase oil production, OPEC+ 2 June announced it would raise output by 648,000 barrels per day in July and August 2022.

Coalition and Huthis refrained from cross-border attacks as April truce largely held. Cross-border Huthi attacks and coalition airstrikes remained halted after April truce (see Yemen). Vice Minister of Defence Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud 17 May met U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan during which latter reaffirmed U.S. commitment to help Riyadh defend its territory. U.S. Sec State Antony Blinken 30 May held phone call with Saudi FM Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud to discuss efforts to prolong truce in Yemen. Despite pressure from U.S. and Europe to increase oil production, OPEC+ 5 May decided to maintain planned production levels. Financial Times 22 May quoted Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, signalling support for Russia as member of OPEC+. Meanwhile, following fifth round of talks in April after seven-month hiatus, Iranian FM 17 May dismissed Iranian lawmakers’ statement that he would soon meet Saudi counterpart saying “no new developments” had occurred since April talks, while FM Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud 24 May said “some progress but not enough” had been made in talks with Iran.

Saudi-led coalition and Huthis in Yemen halted cross-border attacks, while Riyadh and Iran resumed talks in Iraq. Huthis halted cross-border attacks into kingdom and Saudi-led coalition stopped airstrikes following 1 April truce between warring parties in Yemen (see Yemen). Iranian Foreign Ministry 4 April reportedly said Iran was ready to resume talks with Saudi Arabia after Iran suspended them in March; fifth round of talks was held 21 April in Iraqi capital Baghdad, making it first time dialogue took place since Sept 2021. Iraqi PM al-Khadimi in interview 30 April expressed optimism for Saudi-Iran ties, saying: “We are convinced that reconciliation is near”. Saudi Arabia 7 April announced it would send ambassador back to Lebanon after Oct 2021 diplomatic spat (see Lebanon). Turkey 8 April announced it would move trial for 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi to Saudi Arabia, effectively ending probe; Turkish President Erdoğan 28 April visited Saudi Arabia to meet Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman.

Huthis launched cross-border attacks targeting oil infrastructure, while Iran suspended talks with Riyadh following mass execution in kingdom. State media throughout month reported alleged Huthi’s cross-border attacks; notably, drone 10 March struck Saudi Aramco refinery in capital Riyadh; Huthis next day claimed attack and said they also targeted southern Jizan and Abha cities. Huthis 19-20 March launched barrage of drone and missile attacks, including on energy and water desalination facilities in Al-Shaqeeq city, Jizan province, Yanbu city, Al Madinah province, Dhahran al-Janub governorate and Khamis Mushait city in ‘Asir province, and Jeddah city in Mecca province. In response to Huthi-launched drone strikes hitting Kingdom’s Aramco facilities in Riyadh and Jeddah among other oil and gas sites, Saudi Arabia 26 March launched string of retaliatory attacks targeting Sanaa and Hodeida cities (see Yemen). In largest mass execution in decades, kingdom 12 March executed 81 people – half of whom were Shias – on number of charges including murder and terrorism; Iran next day condemned executions as “violation of basic human rights principles and international law”. Iraqi Foreign Ministry 12 March announced fifth round of Iran-Saudi Arabia talks due to be hosted in Iraqi capital Baghdad following week; however, Iran next day suspended talks without specifying reasons. Amid global surge in oil prices, Saudi Arabia mid-March refused to break commitment to OPEC+ deal with countries, including Russia, despite U.S. and UK pressure aimed at persuading Riyadh to increase oil production.

Cross-border Huthi attacks injured dozens, while Tehran and Riyadh reaffirmed intention to hold fifth round of direct negotiations. Saudi air defence 10 Feb intercepted explosive-laden Huthi drone targeting Abha airport in ‘Asir province, injuring at least 12 people. Saudi-led coalition 21 Feb destroyed drone allegedly fired from Yemeni capital Sanaa targeting King Abdallah airport in southern Jizan city; shrapnel injured 16 civilians. In response, Saudi-led coalition throughout month carried out airstrikes in Yemen (see Yemen). Meanwhile, Iranian President Raisi 5 Feb reportedly said Tehran was ready for negotiations with Saudi Arabia if Riyadh was willing to maintain “atmosphere of mutual understanding and respect”; FM Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud 19 Feb said kingdom was planning fifth round of direct talks with Iran. During phone call to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, U.S. President Biden 9 Feb reaffirmed “commitment to support” kingdom against Huthi attacks.

Tit-for-tat cross-border attacks with Huthis continued, while Riyadh eased tensions with Qatar and Iran. Saudi-led coalition throughout month intercepted Huthi drones and ballistic missiles targeting southern kingdom including Najran city, Dhahran Al-Janoub governorate, Uhud Al-Masraha governorate, Khamis Mushait city, Taif city; notably, missile 23 Jan injured two foreign residents in Jazan. Coalition intensified air strikes on Huthi targets in Yemen (see Yemen). Saudi Arabia and Qatar 7 Jan halted dispute at World Trade Organization over Saudi Arabia-based television channel’s alleged theft of sports content broadcast by Qatari state-run channel. Three Iranian diplomats 17 Jan arrived in Saudi Arabia to reopen office at Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in Jeddah port city for first time since 2016; Iranian FM spokesperson same day said Iran was ready to reopen embassy in Saudi Arabia depending on “practical efforts” by latter. Meanwhile, govt critic Princess Basmah bint Saud 6 Jan returned home to Jeddah after being imprisoned in state prison without charges since March 2019.

Tit-for-tat cross-border attacks between Huthis and Saudi-led coalition ran high. Saudi-led coalition throughout month intercepted increased number of Huthi drones and ballistic missiles; notably, 6 Dec caught ballistic missile over capital Riyadh; in response, coalition pledged to “strike with an iron fist” and 7 Dec bombed military targets in Yemeni capital Sanaa. Huthis 7 Dec claimed they fired 25 drones and several ballistic missiles across border, including at Saudi Aramco facilities in Jeddah city; 15 Dec announced firing ballistic missiles targeting King Khalid airbase in ‘Asir province and targets in Jizan province; coalition same day confirmed interception of two ballistic missiles targeting Abha city in ‘Asir province, which Saudi Press Agency said caused damage in Ahad Al-Masariyah indus-trial area in Jizan province. Coalition 19, 20, 23 Dec destroyed drones targeting King Abdullah airport in Jizan province, Abha International Airport and Khamis Mushait in ‘Asir province. Alleged Huthi projectile 24 Dec killed two and injured seven in Jizan city while another missile hit Najran city. Saudi-led coalition throughout month carried out near daily airstrikes on targets in Yemen, including on Yemeni capital Sanaa (see Yemen). Meanwhile, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman 6 Dec began tour of Gulf states and 8 Dec met Qatari leader Sheikh Tamim bin Hamed al-Thani in Qatari capital Doha in first visit since 2017-2021 blockade of Qatar.

Cross-border Huthi drone attacks continued throughout month. Saudi-led coalition announced destruction of alleged Huthi drones and ballistic missiles targeting Khamis Mushait and Abha airport in ‘Asir province, Jazan in Jizan province and Najran airport in Najran province throughout month. Huthis 20 Nov claimed they fired 14 drones at military targets in Riyadh, Jeddah, Abha, Jizan and Najran cities and Saudi Aramco facilities in Jeddah; Saudi-led coalition responded by striking targets in Yemen’s Sanaa, Saada and Marib provinces (see Yemen). U.S. Biden administration 4 Nov announced second arms deal since taking office with govt, specifically $650 mn of air-to-air missiles. U.S. Special Envoy for Yemen Tim Lenderking 16 Nov travelled to capital Riyadh to discuss peace process in Yemen.