Post by : Meena Ariff

Yemen’s transport ministry has said that Saudi Arabia has introduced new inspection requirements for international flights operating through Aden International Airport, triggering fresh concerns over aviation restrictions in southern Yemen.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the ministry said that flights departing from or arriving at Aden are now required to stop in the Saudi city of Jeddah for inspection before continuing their journeys. Officials described the decision as unexpected and said it disrupted aviation procedures that had been in place for several years.

The ministry is aligned with the Southern Transitional Council (STC), a separatist authority backed by the United Arab Emirates. According to the statement, local aviation officials sought clarification from Saudi authorities after the new procedures were enforced. They were informed that the inspections apply specifically to flights operating between Aden and the UAE.

No official explanation has been provided for the move so far. Saudi Arabia and the UAE have not issued public statements confirming the decision or outlining the reasons behind the inspections.

The transport ministry strongly criticized the measures, calling them an “air blockade” that places additional hardship on Yemeni travelers. It demanded an immediate reversal of the decision and urged a return to the previous flight mechanisms that had allowed direct operations without stopovers.

This development comes at a sensitive time, as relations between Saudi Arabia and the UAE have shown signs of strain in recent months. While both countries are key partners in the coalition involved in Yemen, they have increasingly differed on economic interests and regional influence, particularly in southern Yemen and along the Red Sea corridor.

Tensions rose further last month after STC forces moved into Yemen’s eastern governorates of Hadramout and Mahra and took control of an oil-rich area. The move forced out Saudi-backed National Shield Forces, deepening divisions among coalition-aligned groups.

Yemen has been locked in a prolonged civil war for more than a decade. Iran-backed Houthi forces control much of the country’s north, while the internationally recognized government operates from the south with support from Saudi Arabia. At the same time, the UAE backs southern separatist groups that seek the re-establishment of South Yemen as an independent state, which existed from 1967 to 1990.

Amid the rising tensions, the United States has urged all parties to pursue dialogue and avoid further escalation. As part of de-escalation efforts, Saudi Arabia has reportedly called for the withdrawal of STC forces from disputed areas and the handover of military camps to local authorities.

Local leaders in Hadramout have confirmed that UAE-backed forces have begun withdrawing from the al-Rayyan military base near Mukalla, including areas around the airport. However, observers warn that the situation remains fragile and could change rapidly.

Analysts say the new aviation inspection rules highlight deeper political and security disagreements within the coalition and raise fresh concerns about stability, mobility, and governance in southern Yemen.

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