India, July 17 -- The leader of Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen said Thursday that his group was ready to escalate its conflict with Saudi Arabia, after the two sides exchanged strikes on each other's airports.

In the most significant confrontation since a 2022 truce, Saudi warplanes struck Sanaa International Airport on Sunday. In response, the Houthis launched missiles and drones at Saudi Arabia's Abha International Airport on Monday. There were no casualties reported.

Tensions flared earlier this month when the Houthis accused Saudi Arabia of trying to prevent the return of an Iranian plane carrying a Houthi delegation to Tehran for the funeral of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The plane was diverted after the Sanaa...