Yemen Forces Strike Sanaa Airport
Yemen’s internationally recognised government said its forces struck the runway at Sanaa International Airport to stop an Iranian aircraft from landing. The attack triggered a Houthi response involving ballistic missiles and drones aimed at southern Saudi Arabia.
Yemen Government Strikes Sanaa Airport
Government forces targeted the airport runway on Monday after warning civilians, workers, diplomats and humanitarian organisations to leave the area.
The government said the Iranian aircraft was carrying a Houthi delegation and had attempted to enter Yemeni airspace without authorisation. It accused the Houthis of preventing Yemeni aircraft from using the airport while permitting the Iranian flight.
The plane later landed at Hodeidah airport, which is also controlled by the Houthis. The group said the aircraft was carrying medical patients, stranded civilians and members of an official delegation returning from Tehran.
Houthis Target Saudi Arabia
The Houthis condemned the airport strike and warned that it would not go unanswered. They later claimed responsibility for an attack involving ballistic missiles and drones against Abha International Airport in southern Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi-led coalition said its air defences intercepted a ballistic missile launched towards the kingdom’s southern region. No immediate casualty figures were reported.
The Houthis also warned commercial airlines against flying through Saudi airspace until restrictions affecting Sanaa airport were lifted.
Yemen Conflict Risks Fresh Escalation
The latest exchange has raised concerns that Yemen could return to large-scale fighting after a UN-backed truce reduced hostilities between the opposing sides.
The Houthis control Sanaa and large parts of northern Yemen, while the internationally recognised government is based in Aden and supported by Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries.
The United Nations has urged all parties to de-escalate and avoid actions that could trigger another cycle of violence in a country already facing a severe humanitarian crisis.
