A Houthi official warned the United States on Monday that if it enters the Yemen war, it will receive a "painful" response. The Houthis have been repeatedly targeting oil facilities and infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, especially after Saudi Arabia requested assistance from the United States.
Developments in the Yemen War and Houthi Reactions
The civil war in Yemen, which began in 2015, continues with the support of a military coalition led by Saudi Arabia. This coalition is attempting to bolster the Yemeni government against the Iranian-backed Houthis. Since July, this war has reignited, and regional developments have significantly impacted energy markets.
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Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, a member of the Houthi political office, stated in an interview: "If the United States enters this aggression against Yemen, we will not hesitate in our decision to respond, and the response will be swift and painful targeting the United States and all its interests in the region." He also urged Saudi oil facility workers to stay away from these locations, as they have become legitimate targets.
Recent Attacks and Saudi Response
The recent Houthi attacks on Saudi oil facilities, including the attack on King Khalid International Airport, have been the most serious assault on Saudi territory in over a decade. This attack resulted in hundreds of injuries and four deaths in previous assaults. Operations at the major Riyadh airport have been suspended.
Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman stated at an energy conference in Riyadh: "Recent events have tested our infrastructure, institutions, people, and resilience. Our response must be equally serious." These remarks reflect Saudi Arabia's deep concern over the ongoing threats.
Meanwhile, surveillance camera footage from the recent attack shows Muslim pilgrims waiting in departure halls when an explosion suddenly occurred, causing devastation.
The situation in Riyadh remained tense on Monday, with state media reporting the military coalition's response to drone and missile threats. The Australian embassy also warned its citizens to take shelter. The U.S. embassy in Saudi Arabia informed its staff that they must obtain the necessary permits to use any airport in the kingdom and urged American citizens to exercise "serious caution."
Despite high costs for military equipment purchases, Houthi attacks on oil, military, and transportation facilities in this large and mostly desert country have put pressure on Saudi defenses. Security analysts believe that Saudi Arabia cannot continuously defend itself.
The continuation of the Yemen war has led to a deep humanitarian crisis in this impoverished country. The UN Human Rights Chief, Volker Turk, expressed regret over the repeated attacks on Saudi Arabia but urged both sides to refrain from continuing the war. He said: "The disastrous consequences of this conflict on civilians, both in Yemen and in Saudi Arabia, remind us that the continuation of war will only bring more suffering."
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