The Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen announced they launched missile and drone attacks on Abha International Airport in southwestern Saudi Arabia as retaliation for an earlier airstrike on Sana'a International Airport, the capital of Yemen, that occurred earlier the same day.
Although there have been no reports of casualties or injuries from either incident, this attack marks a significant escalation in tensions between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia after both sides had maintained relative calm since the ceasefire mediated by the United Nations in 2022.
Brigadier General Yahya Sari, the military spokesperson for the Houthis, released a statement via Telegram saying the attack was a direct response to the strike on Sana'a airport. He warned airlines to avoid Saudi Arabian airspace until the blockade of Sana'a International Airport ends, emphasizing that this warning should be taken seriously.
Earlier, the internationally recognized Yemeni government stated that the strike on Sana'a airport aimed to prevent an Iranian plane from landing, claiming it was a flight carrying a Houthi delegation returning from Tehran after attending the funeral of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Yemeni Defense Minister General Taher Al-Aqili said the runway at Sana'a airport was targeted to stop a Mahan Air flight from Iran from entering the country, stressing that Yemen would no longer tolerate violations of its air sovereignty.
The Houthis stated that the plane in question diverted to land at Hodeidah Airport instead. They also released video footage purportedly showing missiles striking Sana'a airport's runway, causing a large explosion.
Meanwhile, Brigadier General Turki Al-Maliki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition forces, said via the X platform that air defense systems intercepted long-range missiles fired by the Houthis towards southern Saudi Arabia but did not disclose further details.
Following the incident, the Yemeni government announced the immediate closure of all airports nationwide and ordered the evacuation of civilians from Sana'a airport and surrounding areas for safety reasons.
The United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting during which UN Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Khaled Khiari warned that Yemen and the Middle East cannot endure another cycle of violence. He called on all parties to return to negotiations under UN facilitation.
UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg expressed concern that the recent clashes could undermine the peace maintained in Yemen since 2022. He urged all parties to use dialogue to prevent further escalation, which could destabilize the entire Middle East region.