Yemeni Government Strikes Sanaa Airport to Block Iranian Plane, Raising Risk of New Houthi Attacks
Updated
Updated · Al Jazeera English · Jul 13
Yemeni Government Strikes Sanaa Airport to Block Iranian Plane, Raising Risk of New Houthi Attacks
3 articles · Updated · Al Jazeera English · Jul 13
Summary
Yemen’s internationally recognised government said its forces targeted Sanaa airport’s runway to stop an Iranian aircraft from landing after the Houthis blocked a Yemeni national plane and insisted the Iranian flight enter Yemeni airspace.
Earlier Monday, the Defence Ministry ordered civilians, aid groups and diplomatic missions to evacuate the airport area, saying diplomatic efforts with Iran and the Houthis had failed and warning any hostile aircraft would be met “by all available means.”
Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree vowed the strike “will not go unanswered,” blamed Saudi Arabia, and later said the aircraft carrying a delegation from Tehran landed instead in Hodeidah on the Red Sea coast.
The government also accused the Houthis of detaining an International Committee of the Red Cross aircraft at Sanaa airport and holding its pilot and co-pilot.
The clash deepens tensions after the Houthis earlier accused Saudi Arabia of attacking another Iranian-linked flight, threatening Saudi airports despite a UN-backed ceasefire that had largely frozen the war.