Yemen: Houthi Rebels Retaliate After Attack on Sanaa Airport

Tensions have flared in Yemen following an attack on Sanaa's airport, which was met with retaliatory strikes by Houthi rebels targeting Saudi Arabia. The incident marks the most significant escalation between the two sides since a fragile UN-brokered truce took effect in 2022, threatening its stability. The Houthi rebels accused Saudi Arabia of orchestrating the strike on the airport in the capital city they control. In response, they launched their own attacks toward the kingdom. The internationally recognized Yemeni government, supported by Riyadh, stated that its forces were responsible for the strike. They claimed the airport was targeted to prevent an Iranian plane, carrying a Houthi delegation returning from Tehran, from landing. The government asserted that it attempted, unsuccessfully, to persuade the delegation to use a national airline. The Ministry of Defense declared that "Houthi terrorist militias supported by the Iranian regime" insisted on allowing an Iranian plane to violate Yemeni airspace, leading to the targeting of the runway. Houthi media reported that the plane ultimately landed in the rebel-controlled coastal city of Hodeidah. Iran's ally condemned the attack, calling it a "violation of national sovereignty and territorial integrity of Yemen." The Houthi military spokesperson vowed that the attack "would not go unanswered." Rebel media subsequently released a video showing satellite images of Saudi airports and ports with a target superimposed, accompanied by the message: "The response is coming."

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The "Houthi terrorist militias supported by the Iranian regime" insisted on allowing an Iranian plane to violate Yemeni airspace. Consequently, the airport runway was targeted.