Iranian Aircraft Diverted to Hudaydah After Sana’a Airport Runway Strike
An Iranian aircraft landed at Al Hudaydah Airport in western Yemen on Monday after Yemeni government forces struck the runway at Houthi-controlled Sana’a International Airport, preventing the plane from landing there, according to Iranian media reports.
Iran’s Press TV reported that the aircraft was redirected to the Red Sea port city of Al Hudaydah following the runway strike earlier in the day. The diversion came amid heightened tensions between Yemen’s internationally recognized government and the Houthi movement over control of the country’s airspace.
Earlier, Yemen’s Defense Ministry announced that government forces had carried out a targeted strike on the runway at Sana’a International Airport. Officials said the operation was launched after Houthi authorities allegedly blocked government-authorized flights while allowing the Iranian aircraft to enter Yemeni airspace, a move the ministry described as a violation of Yemen’s sovereignty.
The incident has further intensified the ongoing conflict, with the Yemeni government accusing the Houthis of undermining national authority and facilitating unauthorized foreign access to the country’s airspace.
In response to the strike, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree condemned the attack and warned that it would not go unanswered, pledging retaliation against those responsible.
The diversion of the Iranian aircraft and the exchange of accusations underscore the growing volatility in Yemen, where the years-long conflict continues to intersect with wider regional tensions.
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