Key facts
- Houthi leaders warned Saudi Arabia that continued attacks and blockades could prompt strikes against energy infrastructure deep inside the kingdom, potentially destroying its economy.
- Yemeni military forces will continue operations against Saudi Arabia, with ballistic missiles and drones capable of reaching deep within the kingdom.
- The Houthis declared a 'blockade for blockade' on Saudi Arabia.
- Houthi representatives met with US officials in Muscat, Oman, and reportedly assured them they do not intend to attack US vessels.
- On September 8, Houthi missiles and drones struck oil facilities and utilities in four southern Saudi cities, wounding 73 people and temporarily halting operations.
- The Houthis have taken control of Mocha, Perim Island, and approaches to the Bab al-Mandeb strait.
Yemeni Houthi leaders have issued a stark warning to Saudi Arabia, threatening to strike deep within the kingdom's energy infrastructure and potentially "destroy its economy" if attacks and blockades on Yemen continue. In a joint message, senior Houthi political and military commanders stated that Yemeni forces would press on with operations against Saudi Arabia, asserting that their ballistic missiles and combat drones possess the capability to reach locations deep within the kingdom.
The Houthis declared a "blockade for blockade" on Saudi Arabia, while simultaneously assuring US officials that US vessels are safe in the Red Sea. These assurances were reportedly made during meetings between Houthi representatives and US officials in Muscat, Oman, following the group's seizure of Yemen's Red Sea coastline. The Houthis also reportedly pledged not to target Israeli or other commercial ships, with the exception of Saudi vessels.
These threats follow Houthi missile and drone strikes on September 8 that hit oil facilities and utilities across four southern Saudi cities. The attacks resulted in 73 wounded people and forced a temporary halt to operations at some sites, with the Saudi Energy Ministry confirming the events. This escalation occurred after a Saudi coalition strike on Sanaa airport and another that killed civilians in a Jawf prison.
The Houthis have consolidated control over key strategic locations, including Mocha, Perim Island, and the approaches to the Bab al-Mandeb strait. Their administration in Sanaa maintains a more stable currency compared to the internationally recognized government, which has lost control of the coast. The broader conflict also involves the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC), which has been involved in tensions with Saudi-aligned forces.