Saudi aircraft struck the runways at Houthi-controlled Sanaa International Airport after Yemen’s Saudi-backed government accused the rebels of facilitating Iranian flights through the country’s airspace.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
SANAA, Yemen — Saudi warplanes struck the runways at Sanaa International Airport on Monday as tensions escalated over alleged Iranian use of Yemeni airspace and the Houthi movement warned that the attack had ended a period of de-escalation.
The airport, located in Yemen’s Houthi-controlled capital, was targeted as an Iranian passenger aircraft was reportedly approaching the facility. The plane was not hit or damaged and was safely diverted to Hodeidah International Airport, according to the information provided.
The Saudi-backed Yemeni government accused the Houthis of hosting Iranian flights and warned that its “patience has run out” over what it described as violations of national airspace.
“The Yemeni legitimate government, in cooperation with the regional and international community, and by all diplomatic and legal means, has tried to convince the Iranian regime and the Houthi coup militias in Sana’a to return to the armed forces and not to penetrate the Yemeni airspace with the Iranian planes,” an official statement said.
Residents of Sanaa reported seeing military aircraft overhead during the operation.
The Houthi-affiliated Al-Masirah television channel said the strikes hit the airport’s landing and takeoff runways.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree denounced the attack and warned that Saudi Arabia would face consequences.
“In an unjust aggression, the Saudi enemy carried out several airstrikes against Sanaa International Airport,” Saree said.
“The Saudi aggression against Sanaa airport has ended the phase of de-escalation, and it must bear the consequences of its aggression,” he added.
Hazem al-Assad, another senior Houthi official, issued a separate threat following the strikes.
“The Saudi regime will discover that it has dug its own grave,” al-Assad said.
The attack raised the prospect of renewed direct conflict over Yemen after years of fighting involving the Houthis, the Saudi-led coalition and the internationally recognized Yemeni government.
The Saudi-backed government operates from Aden in southern Yemen. Yemen’s president relocated there about a decade ago after Houthi forces consolidated control over Sanaa.
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the United States have supported the internationally recognized government during the country’s prolonged civil war.
A Saudi- and Emirati-led coalition carried out an extensive air campaign lasting roughly half a decade but failed to remove the Houthis from power in northern Yemen.
The latest strikes signal a possible return to more direct military confrontation as accusations grow that Iran is using Yemeni airspace and Houthi-controlled facilities for its aircraft.
Although the Iranian passenger plane was diverted without reported damage, the attack on Sanaa airport’s runways could further disrupt civilian aviation and deepen tensions between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia.
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