INTERNATIONAL – Yemen’s Houthi movement has threatened to strike key Saudi Arabian oil facilities and airports if the Saudi-led coalition launches further attacks on the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, raising fears of a wider escalation across the region.
According to Al Jazeera’s report on October 13, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree warned employees and civilians to stay away from Saudi oil infrastructure, describing Aramco facilities as a “legitimate target.” The warning followed an evacuation order issued by the Saudi-led coalition ahead of a planned military operation against the Yemen Petroleum Company’s central al-Sabah station in Houthi-controlled Sanaa.
Explosions were heard in the capital shortly after the coalition’s warning, Al Jazeera reported. Houthi-affiliated media said Saudi-backed forces had attacked an oil facility in the area. Saree warned that any further strikes on Sanaa would trigger a “harsh and painful” response in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital.
The group identified three potential targets: Aramco’s headquarters in Dammam, King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and an Aramco-linked refinery in the Saudi capital. The threats come after a series of attacks on Saudi infrastructure, including a deadly weekend strike at King Khalid International Airport. The Saturday attack killed at least 13 people and injured more than 300, while another projectile incident on Sunday reportedly killed one person and wounded 11.
Read More: Singapore Haze Hits Unhealthy Levels During F1 Grand Prix
The violence has also disrupted air travel. Several international airlines, including Air France-KLM, Air India, Etihad, Lufthansa, Delta, Gulf Air and Qatar Airways, have suspended flights to Saudi Arabia or nearby destinations amid security concerns. Saudi authorities said their forces intercepted three drones north of Riyadh on Tuesday.
Saudi Arabia has pledged to respond to the attacks. The kingdom’s cabinet, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, warned that the Houthis would face “consequences,” according to the Saudi Press Agency. US President Donald Trump also criticised the group, saying it was “behaving very badly” and suggesting he might ask Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to support Saudi Arabia.
The confrontation is unfolding alongside renewed fighting inside Yemen. Saudi Arabia has backed a government counteroffensive called “Dawn of Yemen,” while government forces reported fresh air strikes against Houthi positions in Taiz province. Humanitarian concerns are growing as casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure mount.
