Houthis warn of 'swift, painful response' if US joins Yemen war

On Monday, a Houthi official issued a stern warning to the United States, declaring that it would face a "swift and painful response" should Washington choose to join the conflict in Yemen. The civil war in Yemen, where a Saudi-led coalition supports the government against Iran-backed Houthis, erupted in July, intensifying tensions in the region.

The Houthis targeted Saudi oil facilities, tankers, and transport hubs, including a series of lethal strikes on Riyadh's airport that resulted in multiple casualties. In response, the Saudi coalition claimed to have intercepted Houthi missiles, while the group asserted it had targeted the airport once again. The coalition also announced the interception of two ballistic missiles near the Yemeni border.

US President Donald Trump hinted at considering joining Saudi strikes against the Houthi militia following the deadly airport attack. The Houthi political bureau member Mohammed Al Bukhaiti vowed a severe retaliation against US interests in the region, urging employees and workers at Saudi oil facilities and airports to avoid these sites as they have become legitimate targets.

Saudi Arabia's energy minister highlighted the strain on the country's infrastructure and resilience due to the recent events, emphasizing the need for a "serious" response. The US embassy in Saudi Arabia urged its citizens to seek authorization before using any airport in the kingdom and to exercise extreme caution due to the increasing security risks.