Yemen warns Saudi escalation will draw stronger response

The spokesman for the Government of Yemen has warned Saudi Arabia of a stronger response to continued attacks on civilian targets.

Omar Al-Bukaiti said the Saudis’ escalation against Yemen would lead to a more forceful Yemeni retaliatory response under the equation of “escalation for escalation and siege for siege” and Sana'a's legitimate right to self-defense.

Al-Bukaiti noted that Saudi warplanes operating from Khamis Mushait and Taif had carried out 732 airstrikes against the Yemeni nation, violating Yemeni sovereignty and shedding the Yemeni people’s blood.

He said Saudi warplanes attacked civilian targets in Sana'a, describing the attacks as proof of Riyadh’s “brutal” approach to the Yemenis.

The Saudis’ continued attacks will carry a heavy price for Riyadh, he warned, emphasizing that the Yemeni fighters will respond with their strongest force, not hesitating to strike Saudi targets and deter the enemy’s aggression.

Yemeni forces’ strikes are highly precise, he said, adding that its armed forces maintain strict operational discipline.

Al-Bukaiti said any civilian casualties caused by Saudi air defenses resulted from the trajectory of intercepted missiles. Al-Bukaiti also said Saudi’s accusation that the Yemeni forces had attacked the holy city of Mecca was a “blatant lie.”

He went on to explain the growing global awareness of the pattern of Saudi officials’ lies.

The Government Spokesman warned Riyadh leaders against making “false accusations, bombing, crimes and siege,” sounding the alarm that continued escalation would have dire consequences for them.

Yemen rejects reports of threat against Mecca amid Saudi escalation

Yemen’s military sources dismiss the claim that the country has threatened to target holy sites in the Saudi city of Mecca.

Sana'a began retaliatory attacks against Saudi Arabia in July after Riyadh intensified its siege of Yemen by attacking facilities in the main airport of the Yemeni capital.

The armed forces also declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia on July 20, in response to “an unfair and tyrannical siege” on Yemen lasting nearly 12 years, contributing to the reduction of Saudi crude oil exports that are already limited by Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Saudi crude production fell 23% to 6.2 million barrels per day in August, while exports plunged from 5.1 million to 3.1 million bpd, according to the Financial Times.

The setbacks have also pushed Aramco to cut crude prices for Asian buyers as shipping costs rise and access to export routes narrows.

Yemeni Armed Forces have also accomplished substantial territorial gains in recent weeks, successfully reclaiming areas along the western coast that had previously been under the control of Saudi-backed mercenary forces.

Yemeni outlets announced on Friday that the Armed Forces have seized strategic heights in the southwestern province of Lahij overlooking the Bab al-Mandab Strait, advancing against Saudi-backed mercenary forces in the area.

Yemeni Armed Forces have also recently announced their control over Perim Island, also known as Mayyun Island in Arabic, strengthening their strategic position around the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk