The Houthi foreign ministry has warned of worse to come if Saudi strikes continue, as President Donald Trump considers joining the kingdom's military action and the UAE voices support for Riyadh.
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Key facts
- The Houthi foreign ministry warned of 'worse yet to come' if Saudi strikes continue.
- President Donald Trump said he is weighing whether the US will join Saudi strikes against the Iran-backed Houthis.
- Riyadh's airport has been attacked twice this week, leaving four people dead, others wounded and an aircraft badly damaged.
- The UAE issued a statement of solidarity with Saudi Arabia despite a major rupture in relations between the two kingdoms this year.
Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis have warned of further escalation against Saudi Arabia, with the group’s foreign ministry saying there is ‘worse yet to come’ if Saudi strikes continue, according to the Guardian.
The warning comes as US President Donald Trump said he is weighing whether the United States will join Saudi strikes against the Iran-backed group, a decision that could significantly widen the confrontation.
The threats follow a deadly attack on Riyadh’s airport. According to the Guardian, the airport has been attacked twice this week, leaving four people dead and others wounded, and badly damaging an aircraft. Saturday’s incident came amid an escalation of Houthi missile strikes on the kingdom.
The Houthis have repeatedly targeted Saudi airports, oil facilities and tankers after a truce in their long-running war with Yemen’s Riyadh-backed government unravelled in July.
In a significant message, the United Arab Emirates issued a statement in solidarity with Saudi Arabia, expressing support for ‘all measures aimed at safeguarding the kingdom’s security and stability’. The Guardian noted the message is important given a major rupture in relations this year between the two oil-rich kingdoms.
That rupture was first sparked by lingering divisions in Yemen and made worse by the Iran War and arguments over oil prices, which led to the UAE quitting OPEC after six decades of membership. The Saudis currently lead the organisation.
Why it matters
An escalating conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis threatens regional stability and global oil supplies. Potential direct US involvement, combined with shifting alliances among Gulf states, could broaden a confrontation already tied to the wider Iran War.
Frequently asked questions
What did the Houthi foreign ministry say?
The Houthi foreign ministry warned there is 'worse yet to come' if Saudi strikes continue, according to the Guardian.
Is the United States getting involved?
President Donald Trump said he is weighing whether the US will join Saudi strikes against the Iran-backed Houthis.
How many people have been killed in the airport attacks?
The Guardian reports that Riyadh's airport has been attacked twice this week, leaving four people dead and others wounded, with an aircraft badly damaged.
Timeline
- Middle East crisis live: Houthi foreign ministry says ‘worse yet to come’ if Saudi strikes continue
The Guardian World: US president Donald Trump says he is weighing whether the US will join Saudi strikes against the Iran-backed Houthis Some more Gulf reaction to Houthi’s deadly airport attack and continued threats to target Saudi airspace. In a significant message, the United Arab Emirates has is