SANA’A — Yemen’s acting Prime Minister Muhammed Muftah issued a stark warning to Saudi Arabia on Sunday, declaring that Yemen would respond to any act of aggression and could even close Saudi airports under the principle of “escalation for escalation.”
Addressing the Saudi regime directly, Muftah said: “To the Saudi regime that boasted of besieging Yemen, we say that within the framework of the equation of ‘escalation for escalation,’ we may even close the airports.”
The senior Yemeni official stressed that Yemen possesses the capability to respond by targeting multiple facilities against any attack, while emphasizing that the objective is to keep civilians and civilian facilities away from the consequences of the battle.
The warning came as Ansarullah-led Yemeni armed forces delivered new blows to Saudi forces and their mercenaries across multiple fronts on Sunday.
Over the past two days, Yemeni fighters advanced along the Bab al-Mandab axis, seizing control of new positions and capturing sections of the mountain ranges separating Ta’izz and Lahj, including the strategic Mount Naman. 
Clashes have centered around Mount Kahbub, where Saudi-aligned mercenaries adopted a defensive posture to halt the Yemeni advance, deploying significant military equipment to the front.
In Ta’izz, Yemeni forces also advanced toward Mount Habashi and its surrounding areas, securing new positions.
During a major operation to liberate coastal areas in western Yemen that began on September 3 and concluded on September 10, Yemeni fighters liberated six zones across Ta’izz and Al-Hudaydah governorates, covering a total area of 5,400 square kilometers. The operation culminated with Yemeni forces entering Mayun Island (Perim) in the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
On Saturday, Yemeni armed forces launched two successful military operations using ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones, targeting sensitive sites in the Saudi capital Riyadh and Aramco facilities in Yanbu, according to Yemeni military spokesman Yahya Saree.
The first operation targeted sensitive sites in Riyadh, while the second struck Saudi Aramco facilities in Yanbu. Both operations achieved their objectives, with large fires reported in the target areas.
The attack on Riyadh marked the first direct threat to the Saudi capital since the new wave of conflict began. Explosions and thick black smoke were seen near King Khalid International Airport, causing flight cancellations and delays.
Saree stated that the operations were a response to Saudi Arabia’s ongoing airstrikes — which have reached 732 sorties — and the regime’s accusations against Yemen regarding Mecca. He affirmed that Yemeni forces will continue to target Saudi military buildup until the aggression stops and the blockade on Yemen is lifted.
On the Kahbub mountain front in Lahj province, fighting raged for control of strategic high ground overlooking the approaches to Bab al-Mandab. Government military sources said 12 Saudi-backed mercenaries were killed in the fighting over the past 24 hours, while Ansarullah sources reported 15 of their fighters killed, including a commander.
As Yemeni forces escalate their campaign, reports have emerged that Saudi Arabia has discreetly requested Israeli assistance to counter the Yemeni advances.
According to The Jerusalem Post and Israel Hayom, Riyadh has used channels linked to U.S. Central Command to request Israeli intelligence support, primarily to better identify Ansarullah positions, movements, and capabilities, and to contain pressure on the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab.
A Palestinian security source told Al-Maalomah that a high-ranking Saudi security and military delegation met with Mossad and Israeli military intelligence leaders in Amman, Jordan, to request security support against Ansarullah operations. 
The Saudi delegation included a diplomat and two officials from Saudi air defense command and military intelligence. The meeting was held under the supervision and coordination of U.S. Central Command.
The talks focused on Riyadh’s request for urgent intelligence support from Israel, including live satellite data and imagery to monitor ballistic missile launch platforms and drone preparation sites belonging to Yemeni forces on the western coast and interior regions.
The Wall Street Journal confirmed reports that Saudi Arabia sought Israeli intelligence support, stating that Riyadh could no longer control the situation alone and that hopes for the new Mecca defense agreement with Pakistan and Turkey had faded.
The developments underscore the shifting balance of power in the region, as Yemeni forces demonstrate growing capability to strike deep inside Saudi territory while advancing on strategic fronts, forcing Riyadh to seek help from unconventional channels.