13/10/2026
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13/10/2026
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SANAA, Oct 13: Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi group has threatened a “swift and painful response” against the United States and its interests across the region if Washington joins the Saudi-led military campaign against the group, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported Monday.
“If the US becomes involved in the aggression against Yemen, we will not deliberate over the decision to respond, rather, there will be a swift and painful response targeting the US and all its interests in the region,” Houthi political bureau member Mohammed Al Bukhaiti told AFP.
Al Bukhaiti also warned employees and workers at Saudi oil facilities and airports to stay away from the sites, declaring them “legitimate targets.” The warning raises concerns over the security of Saudi Arabia’s energy infrastructure and civilian aviation as missile and drone attacks intensify.
His remarks followed US President Donald Trump’s statement that Washington was considering joining Saudi strikes against the Houthis after a deadly attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport. Trump condemned the attacks, saying the Houthis were “misbehaving very badly,” and indicated that he would discuss the situation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The Saudi-led coalition said Monday that it had intercepted a Houthi missile targeting Riyadh. It also reported intercepting ballistic missiles launched towards Khamis Mushait in southern Saudi Arabia as the kingdom faced continued attacks.
The latest escalation follows a series of strikes on Saudi infrastructure. An attack on King Khalid International Airport on Saturday, October 10, killed 12 people and injured 309, according to Saudi authorities. A separate attack on Sunday killed a Pakistani resident and injured 11 others. The attacks have disrupted air travel and prompted an extension of the suspension of airport operations.
The renewed fighting marks a further deterioration in Yemen’s conflict, in which a Saudi-led coalition has supported the internationally recognized government against the Houthis. Any direct US military intervention could widen the confrontation and increase the risks to regional security, oil supplies and commercial transport.
