Yemen's internationally recognized government bombed the runway at Sanaa International Airport on July 13 to prevent an Iranian aircraft carrying a Houthi delegation from landing, according to statements from the Yemeni Ministry of Defense and Presidential Leadership Council head Rashad al-Alimi [2][5][11][21]. The Houthis blamed Saudi Arabia for the strike and launched missiles and drones at Saudi Arabia's Abha International Airport in retaliation [10][16][21]. The Saudi-led coalition reported intercepting a ballistic missile threat directed at its southern region [5][21][23].
The Yemeni government framed the runway strike as a sovereign act of defense. The Ministry of Defense stated that Houthi militias supported by the Iranian regime insisted on allowing an Iranian aircraft to violate Yemeni airspace, and that the runway was targeted as a consequence [16][21]. Defense Minister Taher al-Aqili declared that the government's patience had run out regarding Iranian aircraft violating Yemeni airspace and vowed to confront hostile aircraft by all available means [2][10][21][31]. Al-Alimi directed that the scope of confrontation not be expanded to prevent Iran from dragging Yemen into wars serving its interests [11]. The government offered Yemenia Airways as an alternative carrier and accused the Houthis of undermining peace efforts [33].
Houthi officials and Iran's government rejected the Yemeni government's account, attributing the strike to Saudi Arabia. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree described the attack as "blatant aggression" that ended the de-escalation phase and vowed that it would not go unanswered or unpunished [2][4][25][30]. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei condemned the strike as "a clear violation of international law and the United Nations Charter, as well as an affront to Yemen's national sovereignty and territorial integrity" [14][21][23]. Ansarullah's political bureau stated the attack aimed to prevent their delegation's return from Khamenei's funeral and served Washington's desire to maintain the blockade on Yemen [14][10]. The Houthi political office declared that the era of Saudi tutelage over Yemen had ended [29].
Hours after the Sanaa strike, Saree announced that Houthi forces had targeted Abha International Airport with ballistic missiles and drones, stating the operation achieved its objectives [28][38][15]. He warned all airlines to avoid Saudi airspace and stated that operations would continue until the blockade on Sanaa airport is lifted [12][32]. The Saudi-led coalition's spokesman, Turki al-Malki, reported that air defenses dealt with a ballistic missile threat launched by the Houthi militia toward the southern region [5][21][23]. Al-Malki did not confirm or deny Saudi responsibility for the Sanaa airport strike itself [2][10][29].
The Iranian Mahan Air flight carrying the Houthi delegation diverted to Hodeidah and landed safely, according to the Houthi transport minister, who stated the plane carried medical patients, stranded citizens, and an official delegation [21][23][24]. Yemen's Civil Aviation Authority closed all Yemeni airports until further notice before the Ministry of Transport subsequently announced the reopening of airspace [16][24]. Information Minister Moammar bin Mutahar Al-Eryan accused the Houthis of detaining an ICRC aircraft at Sanaa airport and holding its pilot and co-pilot, calling it a flagrant violation of international law [4][18][44]. ICRC spokesperson Hachem Osseiran confirmed that all ICRC staff and the crew of the plane are safe and accounted for but declined further comment [4][5].
UN officials convened an emergency Security Council meeting where Special Envoy Hans Grundberg urged all parties to de-escalate and refrain from actions that would risk a new cycle of violence in Yemen [19][21][23]. Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari warned that Yemen and the wider region cannot afford another cycle of escalation [10][45]. Analyst Mohammed al-Basha cautioned that if the cycle of action and retaliation continues, it could effectively mark the collapse of the April 2022 ceasefire framework [5]. Andreas Krieg, a security lecturer at King's College London, assessed that the Yemeni government could technically have carried out the strike with UAE-supplied aircraft, though it would be a risk [5]. Analyst Danny Citrinowicz argued the episode may increase the Houthis' strategic leverage within their partnership with Tehran [17].
The Sanaa airport episode unfolded amid a broader regional confrontation. The United States announced a blockade targeting Iranian shipping in the Strait of Hormuz with a 20 percent transit fee, with President Donald Trump declaring the US would become the guardian of the strait [7][8][23]. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi responded that Tehran would forever be the strait's guardian, and Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters warned that US intervention would be considered a declaration of war [7][8]. The UAE Defense Ministry reported that Iranian cruise missiles struck two Emirati oil tankers in the strait, killing one crew member and wounding eight [7][20][23]. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas insisted the strait must remain open without transit fees [8], and the E-3 foreign ministers of Germany, France, and the United Kingdom condemned Iran's attacks on shipping and regional states [18][23]. Egypt and Saudi Arabia called for de-escalation and freedom of navigation in a joint phone call [13].
Yemen's airspace has reopened and the Houthi transport minister stated Sanaa airport would resume operations within two days [24][36]. UN Special Envoy Grundberg stated he is actively engaging with all actors and has contacted military representatives from all sides [23][33].