ALBAWABA- Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi threatened a major escalation against Saudi Arabia on Thursday, warning of a "different war" if Riyadh continues what he described as its blockade and military aggression against Yemen. In a televised speech lasting nearly 90 minutes, al-Houthi vowed that Saudi Arabia's oil facilities and other strategic infrastructure would become targets for missile and drone attacks.
"The Saudi criminal, by insisting on the siege and heading toward all-out aggression, places himself in the position of the unjust, oppressive aggressor," al-Houthi said.
He accused Riyadh of depriving Yemenis of their rights and insisted that his movement would not accept what it views as efforts to pressure Yemen through economic and military measures.
"We cannot accept the siege of our people and the deprivation of their wealth, for this is a matter of freedom, dignity, faith, and legitimate rights," he said. "It is impossible to accept the measures taken by Saudi against our country, no matter the level of sacrifices or at any cost."
Al-Houthi warned that "all key oil and strategic infrastructure" in Saudi Arabia would be targeted if the confrontation continues, adding that his movement remained prepared for a prolonged conflict.
"Our choice is clear, and our souls are steadfast, no matter the sacrifice. Neither the Saudi nor his American, British, and Israeli masters will be able to enslave us," he said, while calling on supporters to hold mass demonstrations on Friday.
The speech came days after Saudi-led coalition forces reportedly struck Sana'a International Airport in an effort to prevent an Iranian aircraft carrying a Houthi delegation from landing. The aircraft was diverted to Hodeidah, according to Houthi-affiliated media.
In response, the Houthis launched missile and drone attacks targeting Abha International Airport and other sites inside Saudi Arabia and declared they would impose what they described as "air sanctions" on Saudi airports unless restrictions on flights to and from Sana'a were lifted.
The latest exchange unfolds amid broader regional tensions fueled by the escalating confrontation between the United States and Iran. A renewed conflict between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia could further threaten maritime security in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a vital shipping route linking global trade between Europe and Asia.
Diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation are continuing. U.N. Special Envoy Hans Grundberg, together with regional mediators including Qatar and Oman, is working to contain the crisis and avert a return to full-scale fighting between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia. Despite those efforts, the latest rhetoric from both sides suggests the risk of a wider confrontation remains high.
