Houthi rebels strike Saudi Arabias Abha airport after Sanaa runway attack halts Iranian plane
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Houthi rebels strike Saudi Arabias Abha airport after Sanaa runway attack halts Iranian plane
Yemeni government strikes Sanaa airport to block Iranian plane landing amid Houthi-Saudi tensions
Continuation
Yemen’s Houthi rebels launched missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia’s Abha International Airport on Monday in retaliation for a strike on Sanaa’s international airport. The Yemeni government confirmed it carried out the Sanaa strike to prevent an Iranian aircraft from landing, while the Houthis blamed Saudi Arabia and warned airlines to avoid Saudi airspace.
The strike on Sanaa airport targeted the runway to prevent an Iranian aircraft from landing, according to Yemen’s Defense Ministry. The ministry accused the Houthis of violating Yemeni sovereignty by allowing the Iranian plane to enter its airspace. The Houthis claimed that Saudi fighter jets attempted to prevent the Iranian plane from landing in Sanaa, which was carrying a delegation of Houthi leaders returning from the funeral of former Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei.
The Iranian plane, belonging to Mahan Air, was allegedly carrying weapons and missile parts for the Houthis, according to a U.S. official. The Houthis threatened to attack Saudi airports if such incidents occurred again. Following the strike on Sanaa airport, the Houthis fired ballistic missiles and drones at Abha airport in southwest Saudi Arabia.
The U.S. and President Trump were involved in supporting Saudi Arabia’s actions. President Trump gave Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman his backing for the military action against the Houthis, according to U.S. officials. The Saudi strike on the Sanaa airport and the subsequent Houthi retaliatory attacks were the most serious cross-border escalation since 2022.
The attack on Sanaa airport is the most grave incident between the two parties in years and threatens the cease-fire mediated by the UN in 2022. The offensive occurs amidst rising regional tensions following the resumption of hostilities between the United States and Iran.
The Yemeni government, supported by Saudi Arabia, claimed responsibility for the attack on the airport but the Houthis blamed Saudi Arabia and vowed to retaliate. The Houthi military spokesman, Yahya Saree, stated in a video that the group launched an attack on Abha International Airport using missiles and drones. He also warned all airlines to avoid flying over Saudi airspace.
The Yemeni government stated that it attempted to persuade the Houthi delegation to travel on a national airline flight but was unsuccessful. The Defense Ministry stated that the Houthi militias, backed by the Iranian regime, insisted on allowing an Iranian plane to violate Yemeni airspace, leading to the runway being targeted.
According to Houthi media, the Iranian plane eventually landed in the coastal city of Hodeida, which is controlled by the rebels. Iran, an ally of the Houthis, condemned the attack, calling it an assault on Yemen's territorial integrity, according to the official Iranian news agency IRNA.
The airspace over Yemen remains under the control of the coalition, requiring airlines to obtain prior permission to land. However, the Houthis appear to have undermined this agreement by organizing direct flights between Iran and Sanaa, angering the authorities and their Saudi allies.
Earlier in July, the Houthis accused Saudi Arabia of attempting to attack an Iranian plane that landed in Sanaa before departing. They threatened to attack Saudi airports and strategic infrastructure, as they had done in the past.
The Saudi military bombed the Sanaa airport as the Iranian plane was returning from Iran with the Houthi delegation. The plane had to divert and land in Al Hudaydah on the Red Sea coast. The U.S. official claimed the plane was carrying weapons, missile parts, and military experts for the Houthis.
Following the attack on Sanaa airport, the Houthis fired ballistic missiles and drones at Abha airport in southwest Saudi Arabia. They also warned airlines not to fly in Saudi airspace until the blockade on Sanaa airport is lifted.
The conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis has been ongoing, with previous ceasefires and periods of relative calm. The recent events mark a significant escalation, with potential implications for regional stability and the broader conflict between the U.S. and Iran.
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Articles
Yemen strikes Sanaa airport runway to block Iranian plane landing Yemens Defense Ministry has confirmed it struck the runway at Houthi-controlled Sanaa International Airport to prevent an Iranian aircraft from landing. The ministry accused the Houthis of violating Yemeni sovereignty by allowing the Iranian plane to enter its airspace.
yenisafak · about 5 hours ago
![Scoop: Trump gave Saudi crown prince his backing for risky strikes on Houthis President Trump gave Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS) his support for a highly unusual military action against the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, according to U.S. officials. Why it matters: The Saudi strike on the Sanaa airport Monday and Houthi retaliatory missile attacks that followed were the most serious cross-border escalation since 2022. They could signal the collapse of a four-year, unofficial truce between the parties. A renewed military conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis could exacerbate regional tensions and broaden the war between the U.S. and Iran. The fact that MBS notified Trump in advance and asked for his backing signals that the Saudis are concerned about a larger conflict with the Houthis that will require military and diplomatic support from the U.S.Behind the scenes: Last week Saudi Arabia told the U.S. it was concerned about the situation and asked for support for possible strikes against the Houthis.On Thursday, the Saudi ambassador to Washington met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. A day later Rubio spoke to Saudi foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan.Shortly after on Friday, President Trump spoke by phone with the Saudi crown prince, per a U.S. official. MBS asked Trump for his backing for a military action against the Houthis and received it, the official said.When asked for a comment, the White House referred to Trumps comment in an interview with Fox News on Monday morning, in which he harshly criticized Iran. The Saudi embassy in Washington did not respond to a request for comment. Driving the news: The clash between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis started 10 days ago when a plane belonging to Irans Mahan Air landed in the Houthi-controlled city of Sanaa. It picked up a delegation of the groups leaders, who travelled to the funeral of former Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei. It was a rare occurrence: Flights from Iran to Sanaa havent taken place for more than a decade. Saudi Arabia blocked those flights, fearing they would be used to transfer weapons or Iranian military advisers to the Houthis. "Mahan Air is the IRGC [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps] airline. It was designated and sanctioned by the U.S. government," a U.S. official said.The Houthis claimed Saudi fighter jets tried to prevent the plane from landing without success. The Houthis threatened to attack Saudi airports if it happened again. On Monday, as the Iranian plane made its way back from Iran with the Houthi delegation, the Saudi military bombed the Sanaa airport. The plane had to divert and land in Al Hudaydah on the coast of the Red Sea. The U.S. official claimed the plane was carrying weapons, missile parts and military experts for the Houthis. The Houthis then fired ballistic missiles and drones at Abha airport in southwest Saudi Arabia. They also warned airlines not to fly in Saudi airspace until the blockade on Sanaa airport is lifted.](https://images.axios.com/BgAK-WIADTIXyF7tiplevDawfRk=/0x0:5120x2880/1366x768/2026/07/13/1783978947824.jpeg)
Scoop: Trump gave Saudi crown prince his backing for risky strikes on Houthis President Trump gave Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS) his support for a highly unusual military action against the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, according to U.S. officials. Why it matters: The Saudi strike on the Sanaa airport Monday and Houthi retaliatory missile attacks that followed were the most serious cross-border escalation since 2022. They could signal the collapse of a four-year, unofficial truce between the parties. A renewed military conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis could exacerbate regional tensions and broaden the war between the U.S. and Iran. The fact that MBS notified Trump in advance and asked for his backing signals that the Saudis are concerned about a larger conflict with the Houthis that will require military and diplomatic support from the U.S.Behind the scenes: Last week Saudi Arabia told the U.S. it was concerned about the situation and asked for support for possible strikes against the Houthis.On Thursday, the Saudi ambassador to Washington met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. A day later Rubio spoke to Saudi foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan.Shortly after on Friday, President Trump spoke by phone with the Saudi crown prince, per a U.S. official. MBS asked Trump for his backing for a military action against the Houthis and received it, the official said.When asked for a comment, the White House referred to Trumps comment in an interview with Fox News on Monday morning, in which he harshly criticized Iran. The Saudi embassy in Washington did not respond to a request for comment. Driving the news: The clash between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis started 10 days ago when a plane belonging to Irans Mahan Air landed in the Houthi-controlled city of Sanaa. It picked up a delegation of the groups leaders, who travelled to the funeral of former Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei. It was a rare occurrence: Flights from Iran to Sanaa havent taken place for more than a decade. Saudi Arabia blocked those flights, fearing they would be used to transfer weapons or Iranian military advisers to the Houthis. "Mahan Air is the IRGC [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps] airline. It was designated and sanctioned by the U.S. government," a U.S. official said.The Houthis claimed Saudi fighter jets tried to prevent the plane from landing without success. The Houthis threatened to attack Saudi airports if it happened again. On Monday, as the Iranian plane made its way back from Iran with the Houthi delegation, the Saudi military bombed the Sanaa airport. The plane had to divert and land in Al Hudaydah on the coast of the Red Sea. The U.S. official claimed the plane was carrying weapons, missile parts and military experts for the Houthis. The Houthis then fired ballistic missiles and drones at Abha airport in southwest Saudi Arabia. They also warned airlines not to fly in Saudi airspace until the blockade on Sanaa airport is lifted.
axios · about 5 hours ago
#USA #Yemen #KSA Trump supported Saudi military action against the Houthis in Yemen, which included strikes on Sanaa airport due to concerns over an Iranian aircraft allegedly transporting weapons. This escalation marked a significant increase in tensions between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis. Subscribe to @OSINTdefender Chat room
telegram_OSINTdefender · about 6 hours ago
Jemenskí húsíovia zaútočili raketami a dronmi na letisko v Saudskej Arábii Húsíovia podnikli odvetný raketový a dronový útok na saudskoarabské letisko Abhá. Varujú aerolínie pred využívaním vzdušného priestoru Saudskej Arábie.
aktuality.sk · about 6 hours ago
⚡ NEWSHouthis strike Saudi Abha airport in retaliation for Sanaa attackYemens Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for striking Saudi Arabias Abha airport. The attack was conducted in retaliation for a recent strike on Sanaa International Airport, escalating tensions between the group and Saudi forces.📰 #SaudiArabia #Geopolitics #GeoWire
mastodon bot · about 6 hours ago
Houthis: Saudi airport targeted in retaliation for strikes on Sanaa airport Yemens Houthis say they struck Saudi Arabias Abha airport in retaliation for a strike on Sanaas international airport
aljazeera · about 6 hours ago
Houthis atacam aeroporto saudita em retaliação A mesma fonte alertou ainda "todas as companhias aéreas para que não sobrevoem o espaço aéreo do Reino da Arábia Saudita"
observador · about 6 hours ago
KLM zoekt alternatieve routes voor geplande vluchten na aanval op Saoedische luchthaven KLM onderzoekt alternatieve routes voor twee geplande vluchten van India naar Amsterdam, nadat de Houthis in Jemen vliegtuigmaatschappijen opriepen voorlopig niet door het Saoedische luchtruim te vliegen. De Nederlandse maatschappij bekijkt andere opties om de veiligheid te waarborgen.
rtl nieuws · about 7 hours ago
⚡️🇺🇸❌🇮🇷 - Renewed strikes on the airbase in Bushehr.
telegram_GeoPWatch · about 7 hours ago
⚡️- There is intense fighter jet activity occurring in the airspace between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.
telegram_GeoPWatch · about 9 hours ago
Yemens Houthis strike Saudi Arabias Abha airport with missiles and drones in a sharp escalation The Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen said they launched missiles and drones at Saudi Arabias Abha International Airport on Monday in response to airstrikes they blamed on Saudi…
japantoday · about 9 hours ago
Yemens Houthis fire missiles at Saudi Arabia Four-year truce under threat as pro-Iran militants respond to strike on Sanaa International Airport
financial times · about 10 hours ago
New Saudi-Yemen Fighting Threatens to Pull Houthis Into Iran War The militant group attacked southern Saudi Arabia after blaming the country for an airstrike on the Sana airport.
wsj · about 10 hours ago
🇺🇸🤝🇸🇦❌🇾🇪 - Axios: Trump gave Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman assurance before Saudi Arabia initiated strikes on Houthi controlled Sanaa International Airport.
telegram_GeoPWatch · about 10 hours ago
🇾🇪🇾🇪❌🇸🇦 — WATCH: Ansar Allah releases official video vowing to impose a naval and aerial blockade on Saudi Arabia in retaliation for the Saudi-led blockade on Yemen, declaring: "Blockade for blockade." @IntelSlava
telegram_Intel Slava · about 11 hours ago