Mahdi al-Mashat, head of the Houthis’ Supreme Political Council, said Sunday the group had moved from demands to action against Saudi Arabia under a formula of “blockade for blockade, escalation for escalation.” He singled out Saudi ships as he threatened further escalation. “Maritime navigation and international trade in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb are safe and will face no danger from Yemen, with the exception of Saudi enemy vessels,” he said. His demands included ending what he described as a Saudi blockade, reopening airports and ports, restoring Yemen’s resources and securing compensation from Riyadh.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said Saudi aircraft carried out 28 airstrikes in 24 hours across Taiz, Al-Jawf and Marib, bringing the total since the escalation began to 760. Al Mayadeen reported that Saudi strikes on telecommunications towers in Al-Jawf killed four workers and injured three. Saba news agency reported that dozens of Saudi missiles struck populated border districts in Saada.

The warning followed Houthi claims Saturday of missile and drone attacks on sites in Riyadh and Aramco facilities in Yanbu. A fire burned at an Aramco fuel tank near Riyadh’s international airport, where flights were canceled and delayed. Saudi Arabia said it intercepted a ballistic missile aimed at Riyadh and thwarted attacks on several other cities, reporting no casualties. The US warned that the conflict could “escalate rapidly” and urged Americans to reconsider travel to and through the Middle East.