Escalation in Yemen as Houthis Launch Missiles at Saudi Arabia

The Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen launched missiles and drones at Saudi Arabia’s Abha International Airport. This retaliation followed airstrikes the Houthis attributed to Saudi Arabia, targeting Sanaa International Airport earlier that day.

No casualties occurred, yet this action marks the most significant escalation since a Saudi-led coalition attacked Houthi-controlled areas years back. Saudi officials have not provided immediate comments on these airstrikes. Houthi military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree cautioned airlines against flying through Saudi airspace, urging adherence until the blockade on Sanaa International Airport is lifted.

Yemen’s internationally recognized government justified the Sanaa airport strikes, aiming to prevent an Iranian plane from landing. The Houthis promised reprisal; this represents the first major flare-up in hostilities between Houthis and Saudi Arabia after a relative calm. In a U.N. Security Council emergency meeting, concerns arose about potential broader conflict. U.N. Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Khaled Khiari emphasized the importance of all parties engaging constructively in U.N.-led negotiations.

For years, a Saudi-led coalition, with a base in Yemen’s south, has combated the northern Houthis. Earlier, Saree declared on Telegram that Saudi Arabia’s airstrikes ended a period of de-escalation. He emphasized that any aggression would not go unpunished. Saree also stated the strikes targeted closing the Sanaa airport to humanitarian flights.

Yemen’s civil war initiated in 2014 when the Houthis took control of Sanaa and much of the north, pushing the government into exile. A Saudi-led coalition, joined by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), intervened in 2015 aiming to restore government control. Tensions between U.S. allies Saudi Arabia and the UAE heightened, leading to the UAE’s withdrawal from Yemen earlier this year.

The Saudi-led coalition spokesperson, Maj. Gen. Turki al-Malki, confirmed that air defenses intercepted ballistic missiles launched toward the southern region, omitting further details.

This attack comes amidst renewed tension. The Houthis accused Saudi planes of attempting to prevent an Iranian plane from carrying a Houthi delegation to Tehran for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s funeral.

Yemen’s Defense Minister, Gen. Taher al-Aqili, stated the airport’s runway was targeted to prevent the Iranian plane from returning the Houthi delegation from Tehran. Al-Aqili warned against Yemeni airspace violations by Iranian aircraft, pledging to counter hostile actions.

The Houthis redirected the Iranian plane to Hodeida Airport. Video footage from the Houthi-aligned al-Masirah broadcaster depicted a missile striking Sanaa airport’s runway, followed by an explosion.

Yemen’s southern government announced the indefinite closure of all airports. The Yemeni defense ministry ordered evacuations of the airport and surrounding zones.

Rashad al-Alimi, leading Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, said Iran requested a flight permit for Mahan Air to return the Houthi delegation, which the council refused, citing legal and sovereign aviation constraints.

Hans Grundberg, the U.N.’s special envoy for Yemen, is actively monitoring the airspace tensions. He stressed the necessity of dialogue to protect the relative peace experienced since 2022.

Saudi-led coalition attacks last targeted Houthi areas before a U.N.-mediated truce in 2022.