A senior Houthi official issued a warning to Saudi Arabia, stating that the group’s forces have access to Saudi’s important targets and are willing to endure significant costs to lift the perceived blockade on Yemen. Abdullah Al-Naami of the Houthi Supreme Political Council mentioned that Sanaa International Airport is set to resume flights from various countries, cautioning that any Saudi interference could lead to a strong reaction. Additionally, Al-Naami suggested that if the United States supports Saudi military actions against Yemen, it could face challenging circumstances.
Renewed tensions surrounding Sanaa airport have escalated, with Yemen’s recognized government damaging the runway to prevent an Iranian plane carrying Houthi officials from landing, diverting it to Hodeidah. Subsequently, the Houthis claimed responsibility for missile and drone strikes on Saudi’s Abha International Airport. Allegedly, Saudi warplanes targeted Hodeidah airport to obstruct the landing of the Iranian aircraft.
Following these events, Yemen’s government ordered the closure of all airports in the country and halted civilian flight operations until further notice. The Yemeni Armed Forces asserted responsibility for the Sanaa airport strikes, citing the rejection of government proposals by the Houthis for the delegation’s return from Tehran on a non-Iranian aircraft under government supervision.
The Houthi delegation had traveled to Iran for the funeral of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Jordan recently proposed regular commercial flights between Amman and Sanaa, a move welcomed by the Yemeni government but rejected by the Houthis. The conflict in Yemen began in late 2014 when the Houthis captured Sanaa, prompting a Saudi-led coalition intervention in support of the Yemeni government.
