A wave of disinformation spearheaded by accounts linked to the Muslim Brotherhood (Ikhwan) is spreading across social media, falsely claiming that Saudi Arabia has allowed Israel to use its Hamida airbase to strike Houthi rebels in Yemen.

This claim, however, stands in direct contradiction to both the Kingdom’s defense policies and regional geopolitical realities. It’s a desperate attempt to stir regional tensions and provoke public outrage.

Let’s be clear: this claim is not only baseless but reeks of the Brotherhood’s long-standing obsession with vilifying Saudi Arabia under the guise of “defending the Ummah.”

For those with even a faint idea of how geopolitics works in the Gulf, the idea that Riyadh would give its strategic military infrastructure to another country — let alone Israel — to attack a third-party nation is laughable.

Having spent more than a decade in Saudi Arabia, interacting with people from all walks of life—including Houthi Yemenis, legal experts, and policy advisors—I can testify firsthand that the Kingdom’s military and legal doctrine is centered on defense, not aggression. Saudi Arabia does not, and has not, opened its airspace, land, or naval bases to any foreign power to target a third country.

However, during the 1990s, Saudi Arabia sought America’s support to defend its own borders—not to intervene in someone else’s conflict.

During the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, it was Turkey under Tayip Erdogan as Prime Minister that offered its Incirlik Airbase, and Qatar that opened up the Al Udeid Airbase to American forces.

While Ikhwani voices slander Saudi Arabia, they conveniently ignore the documented military cooperation between Pakistan and the United States. During the War on Terror, Pakistan openly provided U.S. forces with military bases, including the Shamsi Airbase, from where drone strikes were launched into Afghanistan and tribal areas, resulting in both militant and civilian casualties.

According to a 2011 report by the New York Times, Pakistan received billions in military aid while facilitating these operations, which included over 400 drone strikes between 2004 and 2011 alone.

But the Brotherhood and their digital foot soldiers stay silent on those truths—because facts aren’t convenient when you’re in the business of political manipulation.

This latest rumor is part of a tired Ikhwani playbook: insert “Israel” into any fabricated headline, link it to Saudi Arabia, and watch the outrage machine spin. But times have changed. The region isn’t buying it anymore.

Israel, meanwhile, has shown remarkable technological resilience in the face of escalating regional threats—whether it’s intercepting a record 300+ drones and missiles during a recent multi-front assault, or sharing its defense innovations with allies who genuinely seek peace and progress.

While Saudi Arabia maintains no formal diplomatic relations with Israel, the Kingdom has always taken a principled stance—favoring stability, peace, and regional cooperation without compromising on the Palestinian cause. Meanwhile, Israel has emerged as a hub for technological innovation, counter-terrorism expertise, and disaster response—all areas in which Gulf nations can learn and cooperate, if and when official channels are established.

Kingdom’s stance has always been principled and transparent—focused on stability, not sensationalism.

And speaking of peace, Saudi Arabia and Iran’s normalization just two days ago saw the signing of multiple bilateral agreements—a move that has notably reduced Houthi attacks on Saudi territory. This diplomatic breakthrough alone dismantles the very premise of the Brotherhood’s conspiracy: if missiles have stopped, what exactly would Israel be striking from Saudi soil?

It’s time to call this what it is: Muslim Brotherhood psychological warfare, meant to fracture unity, incite the uninformed, and derail progress under the pretext of pan-Islamism—a worn-out mask for power politics.

Let’s not be fooled.

Following the meeting, Sheikh Amr took to X, to share details of the discussions, posting a picture of himself holding hands with the Saudi Defense Minister. In his post, he emphasized the importance of the dialogue, stating:

“During our meeting with His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Salman, Minister of Defense of the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in the city of Jeddah on the evening of Thursday, corresponding to the 20th of Ramadan of this year 1446 AH, the situation in Yemen in general was discussed, and Hadhramaut was present with all its political, security and important service needs.

We sought honesty, seriousness, and everything that bodes well for the promising future. God willing, these files will witness positive changes in the near future.

We, from Hadhramaut, will be nothing but a support and aid to these sincere intentions and to this wise Arab leadership in all calamities and tasks, in a way that serves everyone and achieves stability in all its political, security, and social forms.

We extend our sincere thanks and utmost respect to them for all the good treatment, reception, and appreciation we received, which expresses the depth of our shared fraternal bond.

May God protect the Kingdom, its leadership and people, represented by King Salman bin Abdulaziz, his loyal Crown Prince, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Salman, Minister of Defense.”

The meeting comes at a critical time for Yemen, as the country continues to navigate its complex political and security challenges. Hadhramaut, a historically significant and resource-rich region, has remained a focal point in discussions regarding stability and governance in Yemen.

Sheikh Amr’s statement reflects optimism about the future of Hadhramaut and Yemen as a whole, highlighting the potential for significant improvements in political and security matters. His expression of unwavering support for Saudi Arabia’s leadership underscores the deep-rooted ties between Yemen’s Hadhramaut region and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Political analysts view this meeting as a key step towards greater cooperation between Yemen’s tribal and regional leadership and Saudi authorities. With ongoing diplomatic efforts, the hope remains that such engagements will lead to tangible progress in addressing Yemen’s broader security and governance concerns.

Trump praised U.S. military forces for executing aerial attacks targeting the Houthis’ bases, leadership, and missile defenses.

The United States launched a series of airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen on Saturday, with President Donald Trump pledging to use “overwhelming lethal force” until the Iran-backed rebel group ceases its attacks on commercial and naval vessels in the region.

Trump also issued a stern warning to Iran, demanding that it withdraw support for the Houthis or face consequences. “We will hold Iran fully accountable for the actions of its proxy,” Trump declared.

Military Action and Presidential Statement

In a social media post, Trump praised U.S. military forces for executing aerial attacks targeting the Houthis’ bases, leadership, and missile defenses. He emphasized that the strikes were necessary to protect American interests and restore navigational freedom in the region.

“Our brave Warfighters are right now carrying out aerial attacks on the terrorists’ bases, leaders, and missile defenses to protect American shipping, air, and naval assets, and to restore Navigational Freedom,” Trump wrote. “No terrorist force will stop American commercial and naval vessels from freely sailing the Waterways of the World.”

The president announced the strikes while spending the day at his Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Casualties and Damage

The first U.S. strikes since Trump’s return to office reportedly resulted in at least 31 deaths and 101 injuries, according to Houthi sources. The casualties are said to include women and children.

The strikes targeted multiple locations, including the capital city of Sanaa, the northern province of Saada, and military sites near the Sanaa airport. Additional attacks were reported in the provinces of Hodeida, Bayda, and Marib.

Images circulating on social media showed plumes of black smoke rising over the affected areas.

Reasons Behind the Airstrikes

The strikes follow the Houthis’ recent announcement that they would resume attacks on Israeli-linked vessels in retaliation for Israel’s blockade of Gaza. The group had warned of targeting vessels in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and the Arabian Sea.

Since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in late 2023, the Houthis have been responsible for over 100 attacks on merchant vessels, sinking two ships and killing four sailors.

The United States, Israel, and the United Kingdom had previously conducted joint strikes against Houthi targets, but Saturday’s operation was executed solely by U.S. forces.

Houthi and Iranian Response

Nasruddin Amer, deputy head of the Houthi media office, vowed that the airstrikes would not deter their operations and warned of retaliation against the U.S. Mohamed Abdulsalam, a spokesperson for the group, dismissed Trump’s claims about threats to international shipping as “false and misleading.”

Iran, which has long provided financial and military support to the Houthis, has not yet issued an official response to the latest strikes.

Broader Implications

The airstrikes come amid escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran. Just two weeks ago, Trump sent a letter to Iranian leaders proposing a pathway for renewed negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program. The president has made clear that he will not allow Iran to develop a nuclear weapon, further raising the stakes in the region.

As the conflict in Yemen intensifies, the duration and extent of U.S. military action remain uncertain. A U.S. official, speaking to the Associated Press, confirmed that strikes will continue but provided no timeline for their conclusion.

“The Houthis will not abandon the Palestinian cause, regardless of any U.S., Israeli, or Western threats,” he said, adding that operations against Israel will continue.

Yemen is ready with all defensive options to respond to any American, Israeli or Western hostile moves, he said.

“Yemen is concerned in protecting international maritime navigation in accordance with international laws and norms,” al-Qahoum said.

Earlier in the day, the U.S. military said attacks from Houthi-controlled Yemen struck two Liberian-flagged ships in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, underlining the threat to vessels in shipping lanes being targeted by the Iran-aligned group.

Part of the Iran-aligned “Axis of Resistance”, the Houthis have been attacking vessels in Red Sea shipping lanes and firing drones and missiles at Israel.

The Houthis, who rule much of Yemen, have said they will continue their attacks until Israel stops its offensive in the Gaza Strip.

The Houthis earlier said they hit a Norwegian commercial tanker with a missile in their latest protest against Israel’s bombardment of Gaza, underlining the risks of a conflict that has shaken the Middle East.

In addition to avoid heading toward the Palestinian territories, ships that pass Yemen should keep radios turned on, and quickly respond to Houthi attempts at communication, Mohamed Ali al-Houthi, head of Yemen’s Houthi supreme revolutionary committee, said in a message on the X social media platform.

Al-Houthi also warned cargo ships against “falsifying their identity” or raising flags different from the country belonging to cargo ship owner.

The Iran-aligned group attacked the tanker, the STRINDA, because it was delivering crude oil to an Israeli terminal and after its crew ignored all warnings, Houthi military spokesperson Yehia Sarea had previously said in a statement.

The Houthis have waded into the Israel-Hamas conflict – which has spread around the region – attacking vessels in vital shipping lanes and firing drones and missiles at Israel more than 1,000 miles from their seat of power in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa.

The Iran-aligned group attacked the tanker, the STRINDA, because it was delivering crude oil to an Israeli terminal and after its crew ignored all warnings, Houthi military spokesperson Yehia Sarea said in a statement.

But the tanker’s owner, Norway’s Mowinckel Chemical Tankers, said the vessel was headed to Italy with a cargo of biofuel feedstock, not crude oil. But it did acknowledge a tentative Israeli port call scheduled for January, details it had not offered in the immediate hours after the attack in the Red Sea.

“Upon the recommendation of our security advisors, it was decided to withhold this information until the vessel and her crew were in safe waters,” the company said in a statement.

Following the attack, Israel’s military said it had deployed one of its most advanced warships, a Sa’ar 6 class corvette, in the Red Sea.

The U.S. Navy destroyer Mason responded to the STRINDA’s distress calls and assisted the crew, which was grappling with a fire, the U.S. military said. It said the STRINDA was struck on Monday night by a land-based cruise missile fired from Houthi-controlled Yemen.

“The actions that we’ve seen by these Houthis forces are destabilizing, they’re dangerous,” Pentagon spokesperson Major General Patrick Ryder told a press conference on Tuesday.

“So, this is an international problem that requires an international solution,” Ryder said. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin would be travelling to the Middle East next week, including to Israel, Qatar and Bahrain, he said.

The Houthis have waded into the Israel-Hamas conflict – which has spread around the region – attacking vessels in vital shipping lanes and firing drones and missiles at Israel more than 1,000 miles from their seat of power in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa.

On Saturday, they said they would target all ships heading to Israel, regardless of their nationality, and warned international shipping companies against dealing with Israeli ports.

Gaza War Ripples Through Region

The Gaza conflict has already spread to other parts of the region, with Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah trading fire and Iranian-backed militias attacking bases of U.S. forces in Iraq.

French frigate FREMM Languedoc intercepted and destroyed a drone that was threatening the STRINDA in a complex aerial attack originating from Yemen, the French defence ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

The STRINDA had loaded vegetable oil and biofuels in Malaysia and was headed for Venice, data from shiptracking firm Kpler showed. Italian energy firm Eni confirmed the ship was carrying 15 thousand tons of residues and waste from vegetable oil processing destined for Eni’s biorefineries in Italy.

Houthi officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli government.

The Houthi spokesman said the group would continue blocking ships heading to Israeli ports until Israel allows the entry of food and medical aid into the Gaza Strip. Israel denies restricting the entry of food, water, medicines and shelter into the Gaza Strip, which its forces have bombarded in retaliation against Hamas for the Oct. 7 attack.

US Ship Responds To Strinda

Norway’s deputy foreign minister Eivind Vad Petersson said in a statement: “Norway condemns in the strongest possible terms all attacks on civilian shipping.”

The attack took place about 60 nautical miles (111 km) north of the Bab al-Mandab Strait connecting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden at about 2100 GMT, a U.S. official told Reuters. A second U.S. official said the STRINDA was able to move under its own power in the hours after the attack.

“There were no U.S. ships in the vicinity at the time of the attack, but the (U.S. Navy destroyer) USS MASON responded to the M/T STRINDA’s mayday call,” the U.S. military’s Central Command, which oversees American forces in the Middle East, said in a statement posted on social media platform X.

The attack caused damage but no casualties, the U.S. military said.

The Houthi spokesman said that the group had managed to obstruct the passage of several ships in recent days, acting in support of the Palestinians.

The Houthis are one of several groups in the Iran-aligned “Axis of Resistance” that have been taking aim at Israeli and U.S. targets.

During the first week of December, three commercial vessels came under attack in international waters, prompting a U.S. Navy destroyer to intervene.

Last month the Houthis also seized a British-owned cargo ship that had links with an Israeli company.

The United States and Britain have condemned the attacks on shipping, blaming Iran for its role in supporting the Houthis. Tehran says its allies make their decisions independently.

Saudi Arabia has asked the United States to show restraint in responding to the attacks.

The group targeted the tanker with a rocket after the crew refused to respond to all warnings, Houthi military spokesperson Yehia Sareea said in a televised statement.

He added that the group had managed to obstruct the passage of several ships in recent days, acting in support of the Palestinians.

He vowed that the Houthis would continue blocking all ships heading to Israeli ports until Israel allows the entry of food and medical aid into the Gaza Strip – more than 1,000 miles from the Houthi seat of power in Sanaa.

The Iran-aligned group hit the tanker, the STRINDA, with a rocket because it was delivering crude oil to an Israeli terminal and after its crew ignored all warnings, Houthi military spokesperson Yehia Sarea said in a statement.

But the tanker’s owner, Norway’s Mowinckel Chemical Tankers, said the vessel was headed to Italy with a cargo of palm oil to be used in biofuels. It was not planning to stop in Israel, a company’s spokesperson told Reuters.

The Houthis have waded into the Israel-Hamas conflict – which has spread around the region since Oct. 7 – attacking vessels in vital shipping lanes and firing drones and missiles at Israel more than 1,000 miles from their seat of power in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa.

On Saturday, they said they would target all ships heading to Israel, regardless of their nationality, and warned international shipping companies against dealing with Israeli ports.

The Gaza conflict has already spread to other parts of the region, with Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah trading fire and Iranian-backed militias attacking Iraqi bases that hold American forces.

French frigate FREMM Languedoc intercepted and destroyed a drone that was threatening the STRINDA in a complex aerial attack originating from Yemen, the French defence ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

It said the attack had taken place in the evening of Monday Dec. 11 and had caused a fire on board the tanker, which was sailing under the Norwegian flag.

The STRINDA had loaded vegetable oil and biofuels in Malaysia and was headed for Venice, data from shiptracking firm Kpler showed.

Houthi officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli government.

The Houthi spokesman vowed the group would continue blocking ships heading to Israeli ports until Israel allows the entry of food and medical aid into the Gaza Strip.

Norway’s deputy foreign minister Eivind Vad Petersson said the attack was unacceptable.

“Norway condemns in the strongest possible terms all attacks on civilian shipping,” he said in a statement.

The attack took place about 60 nautical miles (111 km) north of the Bab al-Mandab Strait connecting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden at about 2100 GMT, a U.S. official told Reuters. A second U.S. official said the STRINDA was able to move under its own power in the hours after the attack.

“There were no U.S. ships in the vicinity at the time of the attack, but the (U.S. Navy destroyer) USS MASON responded to the M/T STRINDA’s mayday call and is currently rendering assistance,” the U.S. military’s Central Command, which oversees American forces in the Middle East, said in a statement posted on social media platform X.

The attack caused a fire and damage but no casualties, the U.S. military said in a statement.

“Axis Of Resistance”

The Houthi spokesman said that the group had managed to obstruct the passage of several ships in recent days, acting in support of the Palestinians.

The tanker’s manager, Hansa Tankers, could not be immediately reached for comment outside office hours.

The Houthis are one of several groups in the Iran-aligned “Axis of Resistance” that have been taking aim at Israeli and U.S. targets since their Palestinian ally Hamas attacked Israel.

During the first week of December, three commercial vessels came under attack in international waters, prompting a U.S. Navy destroyer to intervene.

Last month the Houthis also seized a British-owned cargo ship that had links with an Israeli company.

The United States and Britain have condemned the attacks on shipping, blaming Iran for its role in supporting the Houthis. Tehran says its allies make their decisions independently.

Saudi Arabia has asked the United States to show restraint in responding to the attacks.

Monitoring service TankerTrackers.com on X said it suspected the vessel was a “northbound cargo-laden oil tanker”.

Ships of both Yemen’s internationally recognised government and warring Houthi movement self-identify as Yemeni navy.

UKMTO earlier on Tuesday said it received a report of a fire on board a vessel in the vicinity of the Bab al-Mandab Strait west of port Mokha in Yemen. The crew was reported safe, it said in a post on X.

The Bab al-Mandab Strait is a sea lane through which much of the world’s oil is shipped.

It was unclear whether the two incidents were related.

The Houthi movement on Saturday said it would target all ships heading north to Israel, regardless of nationality, and warned all international shipping companies against dealing with Israeli ports.

The Houthis have attacked and seized several Israeli-linked ships in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait and fired ballistic missiles and armed drones at Israel.

The Houthis are one of several groups in the Iran-aligned “Axis of Resistance” which have been hitting Israeli and U.S. targets since Oct. 7 when Hamas militants attacked Israel, sparking Israeli retaliation against Hamas in Gaza.

The attack on the tanker STRINDA took place about 60 nautical miles (111km) north of the Bab al-Mandab Strait connecting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden at about 2100 GMT, a U.S. official told Reuters. A second U.S. official said the STRINDA was able to move under its own power in the hours after the attack.

“There were no U.S. ships in the vicinity at the time of the attack, but the (U.S. Navy destroyer) USS MASON responded to the M/T STRINDA’s mayday call and is currently rendering assistance,” the U.S. military’s Central Command, which oversees American forces in the Middle East, said in a statement posted on social media platform X.

The chemical tanker is Norway flagged, and its Norwegian owner, Mowinckel Chemical Tankers, and manager Hansa Tankers could not be immediately reached for comment outside office hours.

The Iran-aligned Houthis have waded into the Israel-Hamas conflict – which has spread around the Middle East since Oct. 7 – attacking vessels in vital shipping lanes and firing drones and missiles at Israel itself.

On Saturday, the Houthis said they would target all ships heading to Israel, regardless of their nationality, and warned international shipping companies against dealing with Israeli ports.

The STRINDA had loaded vegetable oil and biofuels in Malaysia and was headed for Venice, Italy, data from shiptracking firm Kpler showed.

It was not immediately clear whether the STRINDA had any ties to Israel.

The group, which rules much of Yemen, says its attacks are a show of support for the Palestinians and has vowed they will continue until Israel stops its offensive on the Gaza Strip – more than 1,000 miles from the Houthi seat of power in Sanaa.

The Houthis are one of several groups in the Iran-aligned “Axis of Resistance” that have been taking aim at Israeli and U.S. targets since their Palestinian ally Hamas attacked Israel.

During the first week of December, three commercial vessels came under attack in international waters, prompting a U.S. Navy destroyer to intervene.

The Houthis also seized last month a British-owned cargo ship that had links with an Israeli company.

The United States and Britain have condemned the attacks on shipping, blaming Iran for its role in supporting the Houthis. Tehran says its allies make their decisions independently.

Saudi Arabia has asked the United States to show restraint in responding to the attacks.