The Iran-backed Houthi militias warned they may resort to escalation on the ground against the legitimate government and Arab coalition.
The announcement, by Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam Flita, coincided with the end of a unilateral coalition ceasefire in Yemen that was aimed at suspending fighting so that the country could focus on combating the new coronavirus outbreak.
The six-week ceasefire ended on May 23 with the militias refusing to announce a truce of their own.
Flita, who resides in Oman, tweeted that the government and coalition will “regret” continuing their military operations against the Houthis.
The so-called Houthi deputy foreign minister, Hussein al-Ezzi, said that the militias’ patience had run out and that the coalition operations had “crossed all lines”.
The coalition had resumed its operations against the Houthis in recent days, dealing them heavy blows in al-Bayda, Marib and Jawf. It also managed to capture mountainous positions in Nahm, northeast of Sanaa.
The Houthi threats undermine a recent call by United Nations envoy to Yemen, Martin Griffiths, who had urged calm, an end to fighting, the reopening of Sanaa airport and release prisoners. The government had positively met his call and held the Houthis responsible for obstructing peace efforts.
Government and western sources revealed that the envoy was still being confronted with Houthi stalling and refusal to discuss peace.
The foreign ministry over the weekend had called on Griffiths, UN Security Council and international community to expose to the world the true sides that are hindering peace in Yemen.
