Key facts
- Yemen's armed forces claim to have confronted Saudi warplanes attempting to block an Iranian civilian flight to Sanaa.
- The Houthis have threatened to target Saudi airports and interests if airspace violations persist.
- Flights between Sanaa and Tehran are set to continue.
- An airstrike by the Saudi-led coalition targeted military sites at Sanaa Airport on December 20.
- The December 20 strike was aimed at drone storage and launch facilities.
- Houthi rebels have been conducting drone attacks against targets in Saudi Arabia.
Yemen's armed forces, controlled by the Houthi movement, announced on Friday that they confronted Saudi warplanes which they claim attempted to prevent an Iranian civilian aircraft from landing at Sanaa International Airport. Military spokesperson Yahya Sarea stated that the group would target "Saudi airports and vital interests on land and sea" if such violations of Yemeni airspace continue, emphasizing that flights between Sanaa and Tehran would proceed despite potential repercussions.
This incident follows an airstrike carried out on December 20 by Saudi-led coalition forces on Sanaa Airport. This strike targeted military sites within the airport believed to be used by Houthi rebels for storing and launching drones. These drone attacks, often targeting Southern Saudi Arabia, have been persistent, with the latest occurring on December 19. The Houthi control of Sanaa Airport has raised concerns about the risk to civil aviation, as the airport could be targeted by coalition airstrikes or face Houthi anti-aircraft fire, potentially misidentifying civilian aircraft.