Yemen's armed forces warned Tuesday that any Saudi-led attack on Sanaa would be met with a severe and painful response targeting sites within Saudi Arabia, according to statements from military officials.
Brigadier General Yahya Saree, spokesman for Yemen's armed forces, issued the warning in response to an announcement by the Saudi-led coalition that it would issue evacuation notices to civilians in Sanaa ahead of planned military operations in the capital.
The Saudi coalition's joint command released a map-based statement asking civilians to evacuate the area around Yemen's National Petroleum Company central station in Sanaa to ensure their safety, signaling preparation for strikes on that location.
In response, Yemen's armed forces released a list of specific targets they said would be struck if Saudi operations against Sanaa proceeded. The targets identified were the Aramco headquarters in Dammam, King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, and the Aramco refinery in Riyadh.
Saree's statement called on all Saudi civilians to immediately evacuate the designated locations and avoid areas surrounding Aramco facilities, warning that those sites constitute military targets for Yemen's armed forces should Saudi attacks on Sanaa continue.
The escalation follows recent military activity in the region. The Saudi coalition acknowledged on Tuesday that it had intercepted three drones heading toward northern Riyadh. Additionally, two ballistic missiles were fired toward Khamis Mushait in southern Saudi Arabia on Monday evening, according to reports.
Saudi airstrikes have continued in Yemen. The Saba news agency reported that Saudi coalition airstrikes struck the Bani Muin area in Shahr district, though details on casualties or damage were not immediately available.