The Iran-backed Houthis vowed to lead a strong retaliatory response if the U.S. military strikes Yemen after President Donald Trump condemned the armed rebel group’s recent attacks against Saudi Arabia.
“If the U.S. becomes involved in the aggression against Yemen, we will not deliberate over the decision to respond,” Houthi political bureau member Mohammed Al Bukhaiti said on Monday, per Agence France-Presse. “Rather, there will be a swift and painful response targeting the U.S. and all its interests in the region.”
Bukhaiti also warned “all employees and workers at Saudi oil facilities and airports to stay away from these sites, as they have become legitimate targets.”
The Houthi official made the threat after the Iran-linked proxy fired missiles and drones at King Khalid International Airport, based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in at least two separate attacks on an airport terminal over the weekend. At least 13 people, including one U.S. citizen, were killed, and more than 300 others were injured.
Trump is considering letting the United States join the Saudi-led conflict against the Houthis. He hasn’t made a decision yet after speaking with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
“The Houthis are misbehaving very badly,” the president told reporters outside the White House on Monday. “They’re misbehaving very badly. No good.”
The Yemen-based Houthis have been attacking Saudi Arabia for over a decade before the Iran war started. A Saudi-led military coalition is trying to fend off the group’s latest attacks on Saudi airports.
More strikes from the Houthis followed Monday night. The Saudis said they intercepted a ballistic missile aimed at the capital of Riyadh, while the Houthis claimed they struck King Khalid International Airport again.
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After the nation’s air defense system failed to intercept projectiles that impacted the Riyadh airport, Saudi Arabia is investigating how that happened. Saudi officials said they found that the Houthis fired multiple drones first to pave the way for cruise and ballistic missiles to reach King Khalid International Airport.
On Tuesday, the Houthi rebels said they were attacked by Saudi Arabia’s airstrikes in certain areas along Yemen’s northern border with the kingdom. Saudi forces did not confirm the strikes.
