Houthi Rebels Accuse Saudi Arabia of Airstrikes on Sanaa Airport, Threaten Retaliation

On Monday afternoon, Houthi rebels controlling Yemen's capital, Sanaa, accused Saudi Arabia of conducting airstrikes against Sanaa International Airport. The Houthis claimed the attack aimed to prevent an Iranian plane from landing there, forcing it instead to land at Hodeidah Airport, also under Houthi control. Riyadh has not confirmed the alleged strikes. The Houthis declared the attack a declaration of war by Saudi Arabia and vowed severe retaliation.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree described the strikes as "unjust aggression" and warned that the period of de-escalation had ended, holding Saudi Arabia fully responsible for the consequences. Senior Houthi official Hazem al-Asad added that Saudi Arabia "has dug its own grave." The Houthi-affiliated Al-Masirah channel reported the strikes targeted the airport's runways. Residents in Sanaa reported explosions and fighter jets overhead to Reuters.

The alleged Saudi attack marks a rare escalation after years of relative calm following a 2022 de-escalation agreement between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis. Despite the ceasefire, Saudi Arabia continues to support Yemen's internationally recognized government, which controls southern and eastern Yemen. Tensions have risen recently, with the Houthis accusing Saudi jets of violating Yemeni airspace earlier this month.

The Houthis also claimed to have detained Red Cross pilots at Sanaa airport for unclear reasons. Their transportation ministry condemned the strikes as a dangerous escalation backed by the US and Israel, accusing Saudi Arabia of maintaining a decade-long siege on Yemeni airports and ports that harms thousands of patients and travelers. They called on the UN and international humanitarian organizations to intervene.

The conflict dates back to 2014 when the Houthis seized Sanaa, prompting a Saudi-led coalition to launch a military campaign in 2015 to restore Yemen's recognized government. Despite extensive airstrikes and blockades, the Houthis remain entrenched in northern Yemen and continue missile and drone attacks on Saudi targets. The war has caused one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. Since 2022, Saudi Arabia has sought direct talks with the Houthis, including after restoring ties with Iran in 2023, maintaining relative border calm. If confirmed, the recent strikes could signal a significant shift in Riyadh's approach.