
1 month · 3 summary articles
Houthi rebels impose naval blockade on Saudi Arabia in retaliation for Sanaa airport attack
Houthi rebels strike Saudi Arabias Abha airport after Sanaa runway attack halts Iranian plane
Yemeni government strikes Sanaa airport to block Iranian plane landing amid Houthi-Saudi tensions
Yemen’s Houthi rebels launched missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia’s Abha International Airport on Monday in retaliation for a strike on Sanaa’s international airport. The Yemeni government confirmed it carried out the Sanaa strike to prevent an Iranian aircraft from landing, while the Houthis blamed Saudi Arabia and warned airlines to avoid Saudi airspace.
The strike on Sanaa airport targeted the runway to prevent an Iranian aircraft from landing, according to Yemen’s Defense Ministry. The ministry accused the Houthis of violating Yemeni sovereignty by allowing the Iranian plane to enter its airspace. The Houthis claimed that Saudi fighter jets attempted to prevent the Iranian plane from landing in Sanaa, which was carrying a delegation of Houthi leaders returning from the funeral of former Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei.
The Iranian plane, belonging to Mahan Air, was allegedly carrying weapons and missile parts for the Houthis, according to a U.S. official. The Houthis threatened to attack Saudi airports if such incidents occurred again. Following the strike on Sanaa airport, the Houthis fired ballistic missiles and drones at Abha airport in southwest Saudi Arabia.
The U.S. and President Trump were involved in supporting Saudi Arabia’s actions. President Trump gave Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman his backing for the military action against the Houthis, according to U.S. officials. The Saudi strike on the Sanaa airport and the subsequent Houthi retaliatory attacks were the most serious cross-border escalation since 2022.
The attack on Sanaa airport is the most grave incident between the two parties in years and threatens the cease-fire mediated by the UN in 2022. The offensive occurs amidst rising regional tensions following the resumption of hostilities between the United States and Iran.
The Yemeni government, supported by Saudi Arabia, claimed responsibility for the attack on the airport but the Houthis blamed Saudi Arabia and vowed to retaliate. The Houthi military spokesman, Yahya Saree, stated in a video that the group launched an attack on Abha International Airport using missiles and drones. He also warned all airlines to avoid flying over Saudi airspace.
The Yemeni government stated that it attempted to persuade the Houthi delegation to travel on a national airline flight but was unsuccessful. The Defense Ministry stated that the Houthi militias, backed by the Iranian regime, insisted on allowing an Iranian plane to violate Yemeni airspace, leading to the runway being targeted.
According to Houthi media, the Iranian plane eventually landed in the coastal city of Hodeida, which is controlled by the rebels. Iran, an ally of the Houthis, condemned the attack, calling it an assault on Yemen's territorial integrity, according to the official Iranian news agency IRNA.
The airspace over Yemen remains under the control of the coalition, requiring airlines to obtain prior permission to land. However, the Houthis appear to have undermined this agreement by organizing direct flights between Iran and Sanaa, angering the authorities and their Saudi allies.
Earlier in July, the Houthis accused Saudi Arabia of attempting to attack an Iranian plane that landed in Sanaa before departing. They threatened to attack Saudi airports and strategic infrastructure, as they had done in the past.
The Saudi military bombed the Sanaa airport as the Iranian plane was returning from Iran with the Houthi delegation. The plane had to divert and land in Al Hudaydah on the Red Sea coast. The U.S. official claimed the plane was carrying weapons, missile parts, and military experts for the Houthis.
Following the attack on Sanaa airport, the Houthis fired ballistic missiles and drones at Abha airport in southwest Saudi Arabia. They also warned airlines not to fly in Saudi airspace until the blockade on Sanaa airport is lifted.
The conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis has been ongoing, with previous ceasefires and periods of relative calm. The recent events mark a significant escalation, with potential implications for regional stability and the broader conflict between the U.S. and Iran.
Follow us for live European news
4 further sources not geolocated