The Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have escalated tensions by launching missiles and drones at Saudi Arabia’s Abha International Airport. This move comes as a response to airstrikes on Sanaa International Airport earlier in the day, which the Houthis attribute to Saudi Arabia. No casualties were reported from the attacks. This marks a significant escalation since the Saudi-led coalition last targeted Houthi-controlled areas years ago.
The Saudi authorities have not commented on the airstrikes in Yemen. Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree issued a warning through a video statement on Telegram, advising airlines to avoid Saudi airspace until the blockade on Sanaa International Airport is lifted.
The airstrikes targeted Sanaa’s airport to prevent an Iranian plane from landing, according to Yemen’s internationally recognized government. The Houthis have vowed to retaliate, marking the first major escalation since a period of relative calm. The U.N. Security Council, in an emergency meeting, expressed concerns about potential further escalation. Khaled Khiari, U.N. Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, urged all parties to engage constructively in negotiations under the U.N.’s guidance.
For years, a Saudi-led coalition has battled the Houthis in Yemen. Recent airstrikes by Saudi Arabia indicate a shift away from a de-escalation period, according to Brig. Gen. Saree. The attacks on Sanaa aimed to stop humanitarian flights, affecting patients and stranded individuals.
The Yemeni civil war began in 2014 when the Houthis seized the capital, Sanaa, and much of the northern region, forcing the government into exile. A Saudi-led coalition, including the UAE, intervened in 2015, aiming to restore the government. Tensions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE have grown, leading to the UAE’s withdrawal from Yemen.
Maj. Gen. Turki al-Malki, spokesmen for the coalition, noted that air defenses intercepted missiles targeting southern Saudi Arabia. The conflict reignited earlier this month over alleged Saudi interference in Houthi flights. Yemen’s defense minister, Gen. Taher al-Aqili, confirmed that Sanaa airport’s runway was attacked to prevent an Iranian plane from returning the Houthi delegation.
Video footage broadcast by the Houthi-controlled al-Masirah channel displayed missiles hitting the airport runway, resulting in a visible explosion. The southern Yemeni government declared all airports closed indefinitely and ordered evacuations around the affected areas.
Rashad al-Alimi, head of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, stated that Iran requested permission for a flight from Tehran to return the Houthi delegation. The council denied this request, citing legal and aviation regulations.
As the situation develops, Hans Grundberg, U.N.’s special envoy for Yemen, expressed concern for the potential of wider conflict. He urged all parties to engage in dialogue, promoting stability and preserving the relative peace achieved since 2022.