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Saudi Airspace Empty as Yemen Blockade Halts Civilian Flights — AI-generated representative image: An empty airport apron and runway, reflecting the reported suspension of civilian flights over Saudi airspace.

Editorial Team

Flight tracking shows most Saudi airports shut as Yemen extends aviation warnings and Riyadh reportedly seeks Chinese mediation.

Civilian air traffic across Saudi Arabia has sharply declined as Yemen's retaliatory air blockade against the kingdom entered its second week, following a heavy attack on King Khalid International Airport on Saturday night that reportedly forced the facility to close again.

Flight tracking websites showed much of Saudi Arabia's airspace empty, while Flightradar24 reported that only one or two of the kingdom's 29 civilian airports remained operational, according to Arab media sources. The extent of the reported airspace shutdown and individual airport statuses could not be independently verified.

The disruption represents a significant escalation in Yemen's strategy against Saudi Arabia, with civilian aviation now directly affected. The warning to airlines, aviation personnel, and passengers carries implications for regional travel and safety, while the reported diplomatic outreach to China signals that both sides may be seeking an off-ramp from the escalating military confrontation.

Key Developments

Yemen's armed forces reiterated that Saudi airports and airspace, with the exception of those serving Mecca and Medina, are considered operational areas subject to attack. This warning follows a reported Yemeni missile attack targeting an airport in the Saudi city of Dammam on Saturday night, as well as a major blow to King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh reported by The New York Times.

Reports also emerged that Saudi Arabia has approached China to seek mediation between Riyadh and Sana'a, potentially opening a diplomatic channel amid the escalating military pressure.

Background and Escalation

Brigadier General Yahya Saree, spokesman for Yemen's armed forces, issued a statement on Sunday urging airlines, aviation experts, airport employees, and passengers to take the warning seriously and refrain from using the designated airports and airspace. Saree said the Saudi government would bear responsibility for any "failed interception."

Yemen's armed forces also reaffirmed their determination to maintain what they described as an established equation of "airport for airport, blockade for blockade, and escalation for escalation" until their objectives were achieved.

Reported Mediation Efforts

According to the Yemeni news website Al-Bawaba Al-Ikhbariya Al-Yemeniya, informed sources said Riyadh had formally asked Beijing to mediate a ceasefire with Yemen. The sources said Saudi Arabia informed China that it was prepared to agree to a ceasefire involving a halt to military operations, including airstrikes.

However, the Sana'a authorities reportedly maintained their existing position, insisting that Riyadh fulfill its previous commitments under the peace roadmap before any ceasefire could be announced.

Current Status and Next Steps

The confrontation remains ongoing, with the operational status of individual Saudi airports unconfirmed and no official ceasefire announced. Additional information regarding the extent of the airspace shutdown and any progress in the reported mediation efforts is still awaited.