Yemen's Houthis Claim Abha Airport Attack, Threaten Saudi Airspace

Yemen's Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for a missile and drone attack on Saudi Arabia's Abha Airport, asserting it was retaliation for alleged Saudi airstrikes on Sana'a Airport. Yahya Seri, the Houthi military spokesperson, stated that the attack targeted Abha Airport in southern Saudi Arabia.

Seri issued a threat, warning all international airlines against using Saudi airspace. He vowed that Houthi threats against Saudi airspace would persist until the blockade on Sana'a Airport is lifted. The spokesperson also expressed gratitude for Iran's support in lifting the blockade on Sana'a Airport, which is under Houthi control.

The Saudi-led Coalition, through spokesperson Turki el-Maliki, confirmed that its air defense systems were activated in response to ballistic missiles launched by "terrorist Houthis" towards southern Saudi Arabia. This exchange follows Yemen's government's announcement that an Iranian plane had entered Yemeni airspace, intending to land at Sana'a Airport. Defense Minister Tahir el-Ukayli stated that Yemeni forces targeted the airport's runway to prevent the Iranian aircraft's landing, leading the plane to reroute to Hudaydah.

Following the bombing of Sana'a Airport, Yemen's Civil Aviation and Meteorology Authority declared all airports in the country closed until further notice. The situation has created significant regional tension, with accusations and counter-accusations regarding airspace violations and airport attacks.