The Yemen Houthi movement on Monday issued a warning to foreign companies operating in Saudi Arabia, urging them to register their identities and investment locations with the Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center in Sana’a to avoid potential strikes amid escalating military tensions between the group and the kingdom. The directive, reported by the Houthi‑run al‑Masirah TV channel and cited as a Houthi military source, applies only to firms from countries not involved in what the group describes as “aggression” against Yemen. Companies from partner states would still face risk, as their investments could be targeted as part of the Houthi campaign against Saudi economic infrastructure.
The source added that employees and others working at or near facilities previously designated as targets should stay away, citing concerns for their safety. It also promised assistance for foreign firms wishing to withdraw their investments from Saudi Arabia, noting that relocation could be facilitated if the relevant authorities in Sana’a were notified. This caution comes amid an intensifying conflict marked by repeated accusations of missile and drone strikes within Saudi territory, as well as continued Saudi‑led airstrikes across Yemen.
In a separate statement posted on Monday on X, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea reported that Saudi warplanes had conducted 103 airstrikes in the past 24 hours across six Yemeni provinces, claiming civilian casualties. He noted that the total number of Saudi airstrikes and missile attacks since the latest escalation began had risen to 4,563, with Houthi forces also claiming to have shot down a Saudi CH‑4 armed reconnaissance drone over the northern province of Al‑Jawf, the fourth aircraft of its type downed in the conflict.
"Saudi warplanes have carried out 103 airstrikes over the past 24 hours across six Yemeni provinces, claiming civilian casualties," said Sarea, who echoed the broader Houthi narrative of escalating hostilities and their own defensive actions. The statement also highlighted the ongoing conflict between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia, which has been largely unresolved since the date that the Houthis seized the capital, Sanaa, and the Saudi‑led coalition intervened in 2015 in support of the internationally recognized government.
While the Houthi warning focuses specifically on foreign firms, the broader context of the conflict indicates heightened risks for businesses operating in the region. The warning underscores the Houthis’ stated goal of protecting their economic interests and ensuring that non‑combatant companies are not inadvertently drawn into military operations. At the same time, the mention of past airstrikes and drone shoot‑downs illustrates the ongoing volatility that could jeopardize corporate assets and personnel.
The Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center in Sana’a has not released a formal response to the Houthi call for registry; however, officials in Saudi Arabia have not yet confirmed or denied the existence of such a program. This lack of information leaves foreign firms uncertain as to whether registration would indeed afford them protection from attacks, especially given the group’s previous statements that companies from partner states remain potential targets.
Analysts note that Saudi Arabia’s economic infrastructure and the city’s global business community have been repeatedly targeted by Houthi claims of missile and drone strikes. The group’s assertion that its operations against Saudi economic infrastructure continue suggests that a broader range of facilities might be at risk, which could complicate the safety landscape for foreign investors and their employees.
The escalating conflict continues to draw international attention to Yemen’s fragile security environment. While the Houthi warning specifically addresses the presence of non‑aligned foreign firms, the larger military operations, including the reported 4,563 Saudi airstrikes since the latest escalation, reinforce the perception that business activity in Saudi Arabia remains vulnerable amid the ongoing war. Adapting to these conditions will require careful consideration from international businesses, as well as a clearer policy framework from the parties involved in the conflict.
