Yemen's Houthi rebels stated they fired missiles at Abha airport in southwestern Saudi Arabia on Monday, a day after airstrikes targeted Sanaa's airport, an action the Houthis attributed to the Saudi-led coalition. The coalition, which supports Yemen's internationally recognized government, reported that its air defenses intercepted the missiles and confirmed no casualties.
The Houthis, who control northwestern Yemen and receive support from Iran, had earlier accused Saudi Arabia of "blatant aggression" for striking the runway at Sanaa's airport. The internationally recognized Yemeni government, based in Aden, claimed responsibility for the strikes, stating they were intended to prevent an Iranian plane from landing.
This exchange represents the most significant escalation in the largely dormant conflict between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia since an informal truce was established four years ago. Yemen has been embroiled in a civil war since 2014, escalating in 2015 when the Saudi-led coalition intervened to support the ousted government.
The Yemeni government's defense ministry explained that its forces targeted the airport runway after the Houthis, backed by Iran, prevented Yemeni national aircraft from landing while insisting on allowing an Iranian plane to enter Yemeni territory. According to the Houthis, the Iranian plane, carrying a delegation returning from Iran, was diverted and later landed in the Red Sea city of Hudaydah. For over a decade, aircraft entering Yemeni airspace have required clearance from the Saudi-led coalition.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree accused Saudi Arabia of orchestrating the Sanaa strikes, declaring they had ended the "de-escalation phase" of the conflict and would not go "unanswered or unpunished."