A man rides a motorcycle past a headquarters of the Houthi group, which was destroyed after an air strike by a Saudi-led coalition, in Yemen’s northwestern city of Saada April 26, 2015.

The Saudi-led coalition on Thursday night targeted the Houthis’ stronghold city of Saada after a ministry of defense spokesman warned that the Yemeni militia group has “crossed the red line” and that they will be dealt with differently.

Yemeni security officials reported multiple airstrikes by the Saudi-led coalition on Saada, the birthplace of the Houthi movement, as well as the Red Sea port town of Hodeida, west of the capital. They said there was heavy air activity over Aden late Thursday but no airstrikes.

In Saudi Arabia, Defense Minister Mohammed bin Salman, was meeting Thursday evening with armed forces commanders as a military spokesman vowed a “harsh response” to the death of at least five Saudi civilians in cross-border shelling this week that Riyadh blamed on the Houthis.

“The formula has changed after Saudi towns and civilians (were hit), and those who planned and executed this aggression will pay a price,” Brig. Gen. Ahmed Asiri said. “The Houthi militias have crossed red lines and they will be dealt with differently now.”

Meanwhile, Saudi-owned broadcasters reported warnings by the Saudi military on Thursday to Yemenis living in Saada to keep away from military facilities and the headquarters of what the Houthis.

Houthi-linked al-Masirah TV also showed on Thursday fighters in a key district of Aden, and reported that the presidential palace was in their hands.

Targeting Saada, also comes after air raids to suppress further Houthi shelling struck the city again, near Yemen’s Saudi border, and the small port of Maidi on Wednesday.

Villagers from Yemen’s northern Hajah province say many residents have left their homes because of the Saudi bombardment and are seeking refuge in other areas where they lack food.

Hours before the continued targeting of Saada, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir proposed a five-day ceasefire to allow aid into Yemen but said the Houthis would have to abide by it.

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