Yemen Suspends All Airport Operations After Sana’a Runway Strike
Yemen’s internationally recognized government has suspended operations at all airports across the country until further notice, citing national sovereignty and escalating tensions surrounding an Iranian aircraft’s attempted landing at Sana’a International Airport.
The announcement was made on Monday by Yemen’s governmental aviation authority following a military strike that targeted the runway at Sana’a Airport. According to officials, the action was intended to prevent an Iranian aircraft from landing after Houthi authorities allegedly blocked government-authorized flights while permitting the foreign plane to enter Yemeni airspace.
Chairman of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad Al-Alimi, stressed that the government would not tolerate any unauthorized use of the country’s airspace.
“We will not allow any aircraft to violate Yemen’s airspace, whether at Sana’a Airport or any other airport,” Al-Alimi said, adding that the government remains committed to protecting the country’s sovereignty against any external interference.
Al-Alimi also stated that he had instructed security forces to avoid further escalation, emphasizing that Yemen should not be drawn into wider regional conflicts that primarily serve external interests.
Earlier in the day, Yemen’s Defense Ministry confirmed that government forces carried out the strike on the airport runway, accusing the Houthi movement of obstructing official Yemeni flights while facilitating the landing of an Iranian aircraft in violation of national authority.
In response, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree condemned the strike and warned that the attack would face retaliation, raising concerns over a further deterioration of the security situation.
The latest developments highlight the growing tensions between Yemen’s internationally recognized government and the Houthi movement, while also reflecting the broader regional rivalry that continues to influence the country’s prolonged conflict.
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