New Delhi: Yemen’s Houthi rebels have threatened to attack Saudi Arabia’s state-owned oil giant Saudi Aramco’s facilities and key airports, warning civilians
and workers to stay away from locations they consider legitimate targets.
The threat, issued on Tuesday, October 13, came after the Saudi-led coalition called on civilians to evacuate the al-Sabaha Central Station of the Yemen Petroleum Company in Houthi-controlled Sanaa ahead of a possible military strike.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree warned that any Saudi-led attack on Sanaa would trigger a ‘harsh and painful’ response against the Saudi capital, Riyadh. The group also threatened to target sites identified in its warning if the coalition proceeded with the planned operation.
The potential targets named by the Houthis include Aramco’s headquarters in Dammam, King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and an Aramco refinery in the Saudi capital.
Saree also urged employees, engineers and other workers at Saudi oil facilities to stay away from locations that the group considers targets. Airlines, passengers and airport personnel were similarly warned about the risks of operating in designated Saudi airspace and at airports previously threatened by the group.
Saudi Arabia-Houthi conflict escalates
The latest warning comes amid a sharp escalation in fighting between the Iran-aligned Houthis and Saudi Arabia, which backs Yemen’s internationally recognised government.
The Saudi-led coalition ordered the evacuation of the oil facility in Sanaa on Tuesday, prompting the Houthis to threaten retaliation. Houthi-affiliated media reported explosions in the Yemeni capital shortly after the evacuation warning, attributing them to Saudi-backed forces.
The escalation follows a series of Houthi attacks on Saudi airports and oil infrastructure in recent days. The group has claimed responsibility for missile and drone operations targeting airports in Riyadh and Dammam, as well as facilities belonging to Aramco.
Saudi authorities have also reported attacks on civilian aviation infrastructure. The latest developments have raised concerns about the safety of air travel and the security of energy installations in the kingdom.
Saudi Arabia’s cabinet, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, warned that the Houthis would face consequences for their attacks, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Air travel and oil infrastructure under threat
The threats come as Saudi Arabia faces mounting pressure to protect its airports, oil installations and reputation as a secure destination for international business and investment.
Attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh have caused casualties and disrupted operations. Several international airlines have suspended or cancelled services to Saudi cities amid the worsening security situation.
Aramco’s facilities are particularly significant because Saudi Arabia is one of the world’s leading oil producers. Any sustained disruption to its energy infrastructure could heighten concerns about regional oil supplies and markets.
The confrontation is also unfolding against the backdrop of the wider conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, which has increased instability across the Middle East. The Houthis’ alignment with Tehran has added another dimension to the crisis, raising fears that the fighting could spread further across the region.
