Post by : Badri Ariffin

In a bold move, Houthi rebels from Yemen claimed responsibility for attacking Saudi Arabia's Abha International Airport on Monday using missiles and drones. This operation was presented by the Houthis as retaliation for airstrikes on Sanaa International Airport that occurred earlier, which they attribute to Saudi Arabia.

While there were no reports of casualties, this incident marks one of the most serious escalations in hostilities in recent years, following a period of relative calm. Officials in Saudi Arabia have yet to respond to the attacks.

Houthi Airlines Warning

Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, a Houthi military spokesperson, issued a cautionary video on Telegram, advising airlines against using Saudi airspace, emphasizing the seriousness of this warning until the blockade of Sanaa International Airport is lifted.

Earlier, Saree accused Saudi forces of reigniting tensions by launching airstrikes, asserting that these attacks would elicit a response and condemning the strike on Sanaa as an obstruction of humanitarian missions.

Government's Explanation

The Yemeni government, recognized internationally, stated that it targeted Sanaa International Airport to hinder an Iranian aircraft from landing—allegedly intended to transport a Houthi delegation returning from Tehran.

Yemen's Defense Minister, Gen. Taher al-Aqili, also remarked on social media that the targeted plane was linked to the Houthi delegation attending the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Iran, asserting that the nation's sovereignty demands protection against foreign incursions.

The Houthis maintain that the Iranian flight was redirected to Hodeida Airport instead.

Response from Saudi Coalition

Maj. Gen. Turki al-Malki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition, confirmed on social media that Saudi air defense intercepted Houthi-launched ballistic missiles aimed at the southern region, although he did not share further operational insights.

Airport Closures Amid Rising Tensions

Footage broadcast by the Houthi-controlled al-Masirah network seemed to capture a missile strike on a runway at Sanaa International Airport, resulting in an explosion.

Subsequently, Yemen's government announced a closure of all airports indefinitely, while also ordering evacuations in the vicinity.

Rashad al-Alimi, the head of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council, noted that Iran had requested clearance for a Mahan Air flight from Tehran to Sanaa for the Houthi delegation's return, a request which was ultimately denied for not adhering to national aviation regulations.

United Nations Urges Calm

In light of these developments, the U.N. Security Council convened an emergency session, with U.N. Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Khaled Khiari, warning that continued escalation could destabilize Yemen and the broader region. He urged all stakeholders to engage in negotiations overseen by the U.N.

Hans Grundberg, the U.N. Special Envoy for Yemen, expressed his concerns regarding escalating tensions and called for dialogue to maintain the fragile calm seen since 2022.

Historical Context of the Yemen Conflict

Since the civil war commenced in 2014, when the Houthis captured Sanaa, the country has faced tumultuous strife. The Saudi-led coalition intervened in 2015 with the goal of reinstating the exiled government. Increased tensions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE this year resulted in the UAE withdrawing from the conflict.

This latest incident follows heightened hostility, as the Houthis previously accused Saudi aircraft of violating their airspace to impede an Iranian delegation's travel to Tehran for a funeral.

The Houthi-controlled regions had gone without strikes from the Saudi coalition since a U.N.-facilitated ceasefire was established in 2022.

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