Yemen government strikes Houthi-controlled airport over Iranian plane landing

Yemen's internationally recognized government launched its most significant strike in years against Houthi-controlled Sanaa airport on Monday. The targeted airstrike aimed to prevent an Iranian plane from landing in the capital, escalating a conflict that threatens to unravel a fragile truce.

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ordered that the scope of the confrontation not be expanded

The government stated it had exhausted political and legal options to stop the Iranian flight. It accused the Houthi rebels of "allowing an Iranian plane to violate Yemeni territory," leading to the targeting of the airport runway. The Houthis had reportedly rejected a proposal to use the national carrier, Yemenia, for the flight, insisting instead on welcoming the Iranian plane outside official channels.

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fully accountable for the escalation

Dr. Rashad al-Alimi, head of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council, held the Houthis "fully accountable for the escalation." He asserted that the militants were "not serving the people or easing their suffering, but deepening the division and imposing a status quo that serves foreign agendas." Al-Alimi ordered the army and security forces to maintain the highest level of alert and take necessary measures to protect Yemen's airspace and ports.

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were not serving the people or easing their suffering, but deepening the division and imposing a status quo that serves foreign agendas

The cabinet, meeting in Aden, tasked the Foreign Ministry with contacting international bodies to urge against using Yemen's airspace outside official channels. The government also held the Iranian regime responsible for the escalation due to its continued support for the Houthis. The Defense Ministry had previously urged citizens to evacuate the airport area for safety, vowing to "deal with any party or plane that tries to violate Yemen’s airspace."

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to be on the highest level of alert and take the necessary political, diplomatic, legal and military measures allowed by the constitution and international law to protect Yemen’s airspace and land and sea ports