[Anchor]

Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels have once again fired a ballistic missile at the international airport in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. As continued attacks prompt both the US and Israel to consider intervention, the Houthi rebels have warned that any US involvement will face painful retaliation.

Reporter Kim Young-a has the details.

[Reporter]

The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Defense announced that it successfully intercepted a ballistic missile fired by the Houthis toward Riyadh on the 12th local time.

Three explosions, believed to be the sound of the interception, were heard in Riyadh, and alert messages were sent to residents.

The Houthis stated that this attack also targeted King Khalid International Airport.

Declaring that all Saudi airports are targets, the Houthis repeatedly warned airlines worldwide to suspend flights to Saudi Arabia.

The Houthis have launched successive strikes against King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh since last week.

This strategy focuses on heavily striking Saudi Arabia's vulnerable points to paralyze its economy and industry.

Operations at King Khalid International Airport have currently been suspended, and the World Petroleum Congress taking place in Riyadh faces disruption as key speakers cancel their attendance one after another.

Local media reported that Houthi offensives in Taiz, southern Yemen, have also killed at least five people, including a 5-year-old child.

US President Donald Trump once again hinted at the possibility of intervention, stating that the Houthis are misbehaving.

[Donald Trump / US President: The Houthis are behaving very badly. Very badly. It's not good.]

However, analysts suggest it will not be easy for Trump to expand the frontlines against the Houthis ahead of the midterm elections, especially while the war with Iran remains deadlocked.

The Houthis warned that if the US intervenes, they will respond immediately, bringing swift and painful retaliation against the US and all US-related facilities in the region.

The Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is also seeking approval from Saudi Arabia to carry out airstrikes against the Houthis.

However, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is reportedly reluctant to accept Israel's intervention in the war due to concerns over worsening public opinion.

(Video editing: Kim Byung-jik, Design: Yang Gi-tae)