04.07.2026 00:30
Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen accused Saudi Arabia of violating the country's airspace to prevent an Iranian civilian plane expected to land in the capital Sanaa. The Houthis announced that if such attempts are repeated, they will target Saudi Arabia's airports and vital land and sea interests.
Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis accused Saudi Arabia of violating the country’s airspace.
"SAUDI ARABIA VIOLATED OUR AIRSPACE TO BLOCK AN IRANIAN CIVILIAN AIRCRAFT"
Houthi Administration Spokesperson Yahya Saree said that Saudi warplanes "attempted to infiltrate" the Houthi-controlled airspace at 05:20 local time, carried out with the aim of "preventing the landing of an Iranian civilian aircraft carrying over 200 stranded, wounded, and sick Yemeni citizens in Sana." Saree claimed that the attempt was thwarted by the Houthis.
"SIMILAR ATTEMPTS WILL TARGET AIRPORTS AND VITAL INTERESTS"
The Houthi spokesperson warned that in case of a similar attempt or aggression, Saudi Arabia's critical infrastructure could be targeted. Saree stated, "We warn the criminal enemy in Saudi Arabia against repeating any attempt to violate our airspace or any aggression against our country. Such actions will be met with a comprehensive response targeting airports and vital interests on land and sea."
The spokesperson also said that flights between Tehran and Sana will continue "despite all possible consequences." The statement added, without providing details, "Our fingers are on the trigger, and we are ready for all options to implement instructions to break the Saudi and US-led siege."
"THE AIRCRAFT TOOK OFF AGAIN TO TRANSPORT A HOUTHI DELEGATION TO TEHRAN FOR KHAMENEI’S FUNERAL"
According to local media reports, the aircraft that Saudi Arabia attempted to block landed safely at Sanaa International Airport. It was later reported that the plane took off again to transport a Houthi delegation to Tehran to attend the funeral of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who died in US and Israeli attacks on Iran.
CIVIL WAR IN YEMEN
Saudi Arabia is known to hold a significant position in the coalition supporting the internationally recognized Yemeni government in the country's civil war.
The Houthis have been at war with the internationally recognized Yemeni government since 2015. The conflict, which has resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths, has led to a major humanitarian crisis in the country. The Houthis control the capital Sana, as well as the north and most of the populated areas where the majority of the population lives, while the Yemeni government maintains control over the southern regions.
The fighting between the parties largely came to a halt after a UN-brokered ceasefire in 2022.