Yemen warns of 'serious consequences' from Houthis

Yemen's internationally recognized government issued a sharp warning on Saturday regarding the Houthi group's military intervention in support of Iran, stating that such actions carry "serious consequences" for the war-torn nation. The statement, carried by the official Saba News Agency, came shortly after the Houthis announced their first-ever ballistic missile strike targeting military positions in southern Israel.

National security and supply chains at risk

The Yemeni government said the repercussions of Houthi military adventurism include endangering national security, disrupting vital supply chains, and driving up food and energy prices across the country. It emphasized that "the decision of war and peace is an exclusive sovereign right of the Yemeni state and its constitutional institutions." Any military action taken outside this framework, the government added, constitutes an unlawful act of aggression, with full responsibility borne by those who carry out or support such actions.

Call for international pressure on Iran and Houthis

The government declared it "will not hesitate to fulfill its responsibilities" to protect civilians, preserve national sovereignty, and prevent Yemen from becoming a launchpad for threats against regional or international security. It urged the global community to take a firm stance against what it called repeated Iranian violations of Yemeni sovereignty and to exert maximum pressure on the "terrorist Houthi militias." The statement also called for backing the Yemeni government's efforts to extend its authority across the entire national territory.

Regional conflict intensifies

The developments unfold against the backdrop of the US-Israeli air offensive on Iran that began on February 28, which has so far killed more than 1,340 people, including former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Iran has responded with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf nations hosting US military assets, causing casualties, infrastructure damage, and widespread disruption to global markets and aviation.