Thousands Rally for Houthis as Abdul-Malik Warns Saudi Arabia

Yemen's Houthi leader, Abdul Malik al-Houthi, warned on Thursday that Saudi Arabia's oil infrastructure and other vital facilities would become targets for the group's missiles and drones if Riyadh increased its involvement in the conflict.

The warning followed a fresh exchange of attacks between the two sides, raising concerns about the future of the four-year truce that had largely reduced direct fighting.

Tensions Rise After Airport Attacks

The latest escalation came after the Houthis launched missiles toward Saudi Arabia. The group said the attack was in response to Saudi airstrikes on an airport under Houthi control on Monday.

The exchange marked a major break in the truce that had been in place between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis for four years.

Houthi Leader Issues Direct Warning

In a televised speech, Abdul Malik al-Houthi said Saudi Arabia would face similar actions if it continued military operations.

"The real equation is Sanaa airport for Riyadh airport, airports for airports, ports for ports, and blockade for blockade," he said.

Read More: Thousands Rally for Houthis as Abdul-Malik Warns Saudi Arabia

His statement suggested that any further attacks or blockades would be met with similar strikes on Saudi infrastructure.

Previous Attacks on Saudi Energy Facilities

The Houthis have previously claimed responsibility for attacks on Saudi Arabia's energy infrastructure.

In 2019, the group said it carried out attacks on two major Saudi oil facilities. Those strikes temporarily disrupted more than half of the kingdom's crude oil production.

In 2022, the Houthis again targeted Saudi energy facilities. At that time, the Saudi-led coalition said an Aramco petroleum products distribution station in Jeddah was hit, causing a fire.

Yemen Conflict Continues

Yemen has remained in civil war for more than a decade after the Houthis seized the capital, Sanaa. Their takeover led to a Saudi-led military intervention in 2015 in support of the internationally recognised government.

The conflict has since developed into one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. Yemen remains divided between the Saudi-backed government based in Aden and the Houthi administration in Sanaa.