A senior member of the Yemeni Ansarullah resistance movement has warned that any escalation by Saudi Arabia would be met with a stronger response than before, stressing that government agencies and state institutions across the kingdom would become “legitimate targets” in such a case.

Hizam al-Asad, a member of Ansarullah’s political bureau, stated on Sunday night that the vicious attacks by Saudi warplanes against residential neighborhoods throughout Yemen and the targeting of civilians, particularly women and children, are due to Riyadh’s efforts to achieve military gains despite years of aggression, mobilization of forces, and support from the United States and the Israeli regime.

“The recent Saudi atrocities came in reaction to the humiliating defeats of mercenary forces, the crushing blows that Yemeni armed forces inflicted upon them in border and occupied regions,” Asad added.

The senior Ansarullah official warned that government agencies and state institutions would be considered a legitimate target for retaliatory action by the Yemeni army if Saudi Arabia raises the ante.

Asad noted that the second phase of Saudi aggression is marked by the continuation of siege and starvation against Yemen, an increase in the suffering of ordinary people, and even strikes on civilian gatherings.

He pointed to a Saudi airstrike that killed at least nine people, including five children and two women, in Yemen's northwestern province of Sa’ada on Sunday, as members of a family came together for lunch.

“What is the sin of women, children, and all civilians bombarded with US-made bombs? The criminal Saudi regime continues to target civilians and mobilize more mercenaries to participate in the aggression against Yemen,” Asad said.

Yemen reports dozens of civilian casualties in 110 Saudi airstrikes in 24 hours

The Saudi attacks killed or injured more than 30 people, most of them women and children.

The Ansarullah official emphasized that Yemeni Armed Forces will intensify their retaliatory operations and target sensitive and vital military targets deep inside Saudi Arabia, thereby preventing further enemy attacks.

Asad highlighted that Yemen will respond to Saudi Arabia's crimes and vile attacks based on an “escalation-for-escalation” and “siege-for-siege” equation.

He strongly criticized the international community's silence on brutal Saudi attacks on Yemeni civilians, stating that financial and energy interests prevent world agencies from taking correct positions.

Asad stressed that the Yemeni nation will never bow to enemies, and Saudi attacks will only strengthen the resolve and steadfastness of the Arab Peninsula nation.

On July 20, the Sana’a government announced a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia in response to "an unjust and oppressive siege" on Yemen for almost 12 years.

Subsequently, the Yemeni armed forces have reported a series of successful missions that have targeted vessels associated with Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea.

In March 2015, Saudi Arabia and its allies imposed a blockade on Yemen, initiating a comprehensive military offensive that received support in terms of military, political, and logistical assistance from the United States and several Western countries.

Tens of thousands of Yemenis have lost their lives; however, Saudi Arabia has failed to achieve its primary goal of reestablishing a puppet government that served its interests.