Houthi official warns of ‘swift, painful response’ if US joins Yemen war

SANAA: A Houthi official cautioned the US on Monday that reciprocal consequences would befall Washington if it joined the Yemeni conflict, in which Saudi Arabia has reportedly sought American assistance against the Iran-backed rebels amid repeated assaults. The Yemeni civil war, involving a Saudi-led military coalition backing the government against the Iranian-backed Houthis, reignited in July, amidst a broader regional upheaval that has destabilized energy markets and plunged the Middle East into turmoil.

The Houthis swiftly initiated attacks on Saudi oil installations, vessels, and hubs, including a series of lethal strikes on Riyadh's airport, destabilizing the world's leading oil exporter. Blasts echoed across the capital once more on Monday night, with Saudi forces claiming to have intercepted a Houthi missile, while the group asserted it had once again targeted the airport.

Following a strike on Saturday that claimed 13 lives, US President Donald Trump expressed consideration of aligning with Saudi assaults on the group, having reportedly dismissed prior pleas for help from Riyadh. "If the US enters the aggression against Yemen, we will not hesitate in responding swiftly and painfully, targeting the US and all its interests in the region," Houthi political bureau member Mohammed Al Bukhaiti told AFP in an interview.

He also warned, "All employees and workers at Saudi oil facilities and airports should avoid these sites, as they have become legitimate targets." Saturday's strike on King Khalid International Airport was the deadliest assault on Saudi soil in over a decade, leaving numerous wounded. Trump asserted the attack was "unacceptable" and pledged to discuss the prospect of joining Saudi strikes with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, stating the US would "look into" the possibility.

Operations remained halted at the extensive airport on Riyadh's outskirts on Monday. Bukhaiti stated the campaign against Saudi targets aimed to convey a message to the crown prince that he cannot wage aggression against Yemen from a secure position. Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman informed a gathering in Riyadh on Monday that the recent incidents had "tested our infrastructure, institutions, people, and resilience."

Juneau, a security analyst from Ottawa University, noted that despite significant investment in weaponry, the extensive and predominantly arid nation poses a formidable challenge for Saudi defenses, making consistent protection an insurmountable task.