Houthi rebels warn against attack on civilian aircraft: Do not pass through Saudi airspace

Yemen's pro-Iran rebels Houthis have again threatened military strikes targeting Saudi Arabia's state-owned oil company Aramco and commercial aircraft passing through Saudi airspace.

According to the Sabah News Agency, run by the Houthi rebels, on the 1st (local time), an anonymous high-ranking Houthi military official said, "Saudi Aramco facilities are within the striking range of our Yemeni military," and added, "Investment here is a risky gamble that will result in huge losses."

This official also hinted at the possibility of aircraft attacks, saying to international airlines, "Do not use Saudi airspace except over the Islamic holy cities of Mecca and Medina."

The Houthi rebels, who are fighting against the official Yemeni government recognized by the international community and the Saudi-led coalition, are Iran's key allies.

The day before, Iran also strongly warned against launching additional strikes targeting the country in response to military pressure from the United States and Israel.

Since the civil war in Yemen, which had been in a lull last July, escalated out of control again, the Houthi rebels have continued to attack major oil facilities and airports in Saudi Arabia. Last month alone, 24 people were killed in Saudi Arabia due to Houthi attacks. In particular, at least 13 people were killed during an airstrike on Riyadh International Airport, the Saudi capital, on October 10, making it the worst casualty disaster to occur in mainland Saudi Arabia in recent years.

Sabah News Agency reported that the Saudi military also carried out two airstrikes on the medical school of Hodeidah University in Yemen's port city. Two Hodeidah residents also told AFP they heard loud noises and explosions in the area.

Meanwhile, in the western region of Yemen, the poorest country, more than 300,000 people were displaced due to intensifying fighting.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) issued a statement today, saying that the majority of refugees have occurred in the past two months and appealed, "They urgently need shelter, food, drinking water, and medical support."

The United Nations estimates that more than 1,600 people have been killed since fighting resumed in July.