Houthi Official Warns US of 'Swift, Painful Response' to Yemen Intervention
Translated & summarized from Arab48 by baba
A Houthi official, Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, threatened the U.S. with a "swift and painful response" if it intervenes in Yemen, warning of "comprehensive escalation." The threat comes after recent Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, including a strike on Riyadh's airport that killed 13. U.S. President Donald Trump is considering joining Saudi Arabia in striking the Houthis. Al-Bukhaiti stated the Houthi targets, including oil facilities and airports, aim to pressure Saudi leadership and prevent further aggression.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Houthi official Mohammed al-Bukhaiti warned the U.S. of a "swift and painful response" to any intervention in Yemen.
- The threat follows recent Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, including a deadly strike on Riyadh's airport.
- U.S. President Donald Trump is considering joining Saudi Arabia in military action against the Houthis.
- Al-Bukhaiti stated Houthi targets aim to pressure Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and prevent further aggression.
- The conflict in Yemen escalated again in July after a 2022 truce, with Houthi attacks on Saudi infrastructure.
- The Houthis have also targeted maritime navigation and launched rockets at Israel amid the Gaza war.
A Houthi political official, Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, has warned the United States of a "swift and painful response" should it intervene in the conflict in Yemen, cautioning against "comprehensive escalation." Al-Bukhaiti, a member of the Houthi political bureau, stated in an interview with Agence France-Presse that if the U.S. becomes involved in aggression against Yemen, the response would target America and all its interests in the region. He reminded U.S. President Donald Trump of past confrontations, asserting Yemen's victory in previous engagements.
Al-Bukhaiti's remarks follow recent Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, particularly targeting civilian and oil facilities, which resumed in July. These strikes intensified after an unprecedented attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Saturday, which reportedly killed 13 people and injured hundreds. Following this incident, President Trump indicated that the U.S. was considering joining Saudi Arabia in striking the Houthis, stating a decision would be made quickly.
The Houthi official advised the U.S. against involvement, characterizing Saudi Arabia as the aggressor and Yemen as acting in self-defense, and accusing Saudi Arabia of violating a ceasefire. He noted that escalation in Yemen resumed in July after years of calm, following a 2022 truce, with the Houthis accusing Saudi Arabia of preventing an Iranian plane from landing in Sanaa.
Al-Bukhaiti also issued a warning to employees at Saudi oil facilities and airports, declaring them legitimate targets as the situation moves toward "comprehensive escalation." He explained that the aim of targeting oil facilities and airports is to send a message to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that he can no longer wage aggression from a position of safety and that continued warfare is not in Saudi Arabia's interest, ultimately leading to the destruction of Saudi infrastructure.
The conflict in Yemen began in 2014 when the Houthis seized control of significant areas, including Sanaa. In 2015, a Saudi-led military coalition intervened to support the government, exacerbating the conflict and the humanitarian crisis in the impoverished nation.
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