Abdul Malik al-Houthi warns of full-scale escalation with Saudi Arabia following retaliatory airstrikes on Sanaa and Abha airports.

Abdul Malik al-Houthi, the leader of the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, stated on Thursday that his group is prepared to escalate the conflict with Saudi Arabia. This follows a significant exchange of strikes where Saudi warplanes targeted Sanaa International Airport to prevent an Iranian plane from landing, and the Houthis responded by launching missiles and drones at Saudi Arabia’s Abha International Airport. The administration announced that it is monitoring the situation, with the US State Department affirming support for Saudi Arabia against Iranian aggression. While the 2022 truce has largely held, the recent "airports for airports" exchange marks the most significant confrontation in years. Abdul Malik al-Houthi warned that the rebels will target Saudi oil facilities if the kingdom moves toward a full-scale escalation. Meanwhile, the Saudi-led coalition continues to manage a blockade that has intensified Yemen's humanitarian crisis. Experts suggest that while the Houthis are increasingly linked to Iran’s regional influence, both sides are currently using calibrated strikes to avoid a total return to war.

Sources