Yemen government strikes Sanaa airport in major escalation with Houthi rebels

Yemen's internationally recognized government launched strikes on Sanaa airport, controlled by Houthi rebels, in the most significant escalation in years. The government stated its objective was to prevent an Iranian plane from landing at the Houthi-controlled facility.

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ordered that the scope of the confrontation not be expanded

The operation occurred after a Houthi delegation traveled to Tehran for the funeral of Iran's supreme leader. The government claimed it had failed to persuade the delegation to return on a Yemenia flight, instead insisting on welcoming the Iranian plane outside official channels. This move, according to Yemen's Defense Ministry, constituted a violation of Yemeni territory.

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fully accountable for the escalation

Rashad al-Alimi, head of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council, ordered that the confrontation not be expanded and held the Houthis fully accountable for the escalation. He accused the militants of prioritizing foreign agendas over the well-being of the Yemeni people and deepening divisions within the country.

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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 government also tasked its Foreign Ministry with contacting regional and international organizations to urge them against allowing flights through Yemen's airspace outside official channels. The cabinet held the Houthi regime and its backer, Iran, responsible for the escalation and the increased dangers to Yemen and the wider region.

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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.