The Yemeni government warns of a widespread and dangerous Houthi military escalation that extends beyond the Yemeni arena

(CNN) - The Yemeni Cabinet said, on Saturday, that the military escalation launched by the Iran-backed Houthi group represents a “widespread and dangerous escalation” that goes beyond the Yemeni arena, warning of its repercussions on national security, regional stability, and the security of waterways.

The Council held a meeting in the temporary capital, Aden, headed by Prime Minister Sha’i Mohsen al-Zindani, to discuss military, security, political, economic and humanitarian developments, in light of the recent escalation, according to a statement issued by the Yemeni government.

Al-Zindani said that the government "is dealing with the current stage with full responsibility and awareness of the magnitude of the challenges," stressing that the escalation, despite its seriousness, "will not turn into confusion in the work of the state or a vacuum exploited by the Houthi militia and those behind it."

He added, "The Houthi escalation is not a passing development or merely a new round of confrontation, but rather a broad and dangerous escalation whose dimensions go beyond the Yemeni arena, and is linked to an Iranian agenda that uses Yemen and its strategic location to threaten the security of the region and international navigation."

The Prime Minister stressed that the government places the security and safety of citizens at the top of its priorities, in addition to maintaining basic services, securing their needs, and dealing with the economic and humanitarian impacts of the escalation.

The Council of Ministers discussed the military situation on various fronts, the level of readiness and the operational needs of government forces, and also affirmed its commitment to enhancing readiness and providing support to the armed and security forces and forces stationed in combat zones.

On the humanitarian side, the Council discussed new waves of displacement from the affected areas, and directed the relevant government agencies to strengthen the urgent response, inventory the numbers of displaced people and their needs, and provide shelter, food, water, health care, and basic needs.

The Council also discussed the repercussions of the Houthi escalation on the western coast, Bab al-Mandab, and international shipping traffic, and said that threatening ships and trade lines and endangering shipping traffic “does not represent a purely Yemeni issue*, but rather constitutes a threat to regional and international security, trade traffic, and supply chains.

The Yemeni Council of Ministers renewed its condemnation of the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, stressing Yemen's solidarity with the Kingdom and its right to protect its security, citizens, and capabilities.

The Council praised what it described as the political, economic, military and humanitarian support provided by Saudi Arabia to Yemen and its leadership, and also appreciated the positions of the countries supporting Yemen in light of the current developments.

The Council of Ministers affirmed that state institutions will continue to perform their responsibilities despite the current circumstances, stressing the need to unify government work and enhance coordination between the military, security, humanitarian, economic and service tracks.

On Sunday, the Yemeni Ansar Allah group (Houthis) announced the targeting of a “military base in the Sharurah region” in Najran, Saudi Arabia, at a time when the internationally recognized Yemeni government announced the implementation of air strikes against Houthi sites in various regions.