Yemen government says flights between Iran and Sanaa would create military corridor for Houthis

Yemen's internationally recognized government has issued a stark warning against Iran's plans to establish direct flights to the Houthi-controlled capital, Sanaa. The government asserts that such a move would effectively create a new military supply corridor for the Tehran-backed rebels, significantly escalating the conflict.

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this air connection should not be considered "a new smuggling route," but rather "an attempt to shift to a more dangerous pattern of support for the militia."

Information Minister Muammar al-Eryani stated on his X account that these flights should not be viewed as a "new smuggling route" but rather as "an attempt to shift to a more dangerous pattern of support for the militia." He argued that the flights would grant Iran "greater capacity for rapid and regular resupply," especially as Iran faces increasing pressure on maritime routes used for transferring weapons and military advisors to Yemen.

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it would give Iran "greater capacity for rapid and regular resupply."

Al-Eryani emphasized that flights operating outside the Yemeni government's control would facilitate the transfer of sophisticated components like "electronic chips, communication systems, guidance devices, software, and other dual-use equipment." He claims these items are crucial for the development of missiles and drones used by the Houthi forces.

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Allowing the establishment of this air bridge means, in practice, granting Iran a secure and sustainable corridor to manage its operations within Yemen.

Allowing this air bridge, the government contends, would grant Iran a "secure and sustainable corridor to manage its operations within Yemen." This, they warn, would undermine international sanctions, threaten security in the Red Sea, and jeopardize commercial navigation. The Yemeni government has rejected the Houthi proposal for commercial flights, insisting that any international air service must be authorized by legitimate authorities. The dispute intensified after Iranian authorities requested a flight to transport a Houthi delegation returning from Iran, a request rejected by Yemen's Presidential Council as a violation of sovereignty. The Saudi-led coalition, which controls Yemeni airspace, also opposes unauthorized Iranian flights to Sanaa.

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This request was described as a violation of the country's sovereignty.