Yemeni official warns Saudi escalation will carry higher costs, vows strong response
Spokesman says Yemen will defend itself and counter aggression, citing on-ground gains.
Yemen’s spokesman warns of higher costs for Saudi escalation and pledges strengthened self-defense, amid claimed ground gains and ongoing air campaigns.
Tehran – IRNA reports Omar Al-Bukhaiti, spokesman for Yemen’s Change and Construction government, says Saudi Arabia’s intensified aggression against Yemen will come at a higher price for Riyadh. He asserts Yemen will not spare severe strikes to deter further aggression and will respond in self-defense, escalating in line with the escalation and siege. Al-Bukhaiti urged Saudi authorities to end the 12-year siege and stop the lies, bombardments, crimes and blockade; he warned of consequences if not. He dismissed Saudi claims that Yemen targeted Mecca as false, saying the world is increasingly aware of the accuracy of Yemeni strikes. He noted that Saudi air forces have launched 732 air raids from bases at Khamis Mushait and Taif, a sign of the aggressor’s brutality toward civilians. The official said Yemeni forces are determined to punish the Saudis for every crime against Yemen. Recently, Yemeni forces reportedly repelled militants aided by the Saudis and captured Mokha, a strategic port city, along with a vital coastal region, and tightened control over the Bab al-Mandeb strait, strengthening overall dominance of this critical waterway and related islands.