Yemen strikes Sanaa airport runway as Houthis fire missiles

Yemen has been divided for years between the internationally recognised government—based in Aden on the south coast and backed by Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states—and the Houthi movement, which controls the capital Sanaa and much of northern Yemen, including Hodeidah on the western Red Sea coast. The latest airport strike and missile interceptions come against this backdrop of contested authority and shifting front lines.

The Saudi-led coalition intervened militarily in Yemen in 2015 after the Houthis seized Sanaa and ousted the government. The conflict has driven mass displacement and severe economic and infrastructure damage, while the United Nations has repeatedly described Yemen’s situation as one of the world’s most serious humanitarian crises.

Tensions over air traffic and alleged attacks on aircraft have been rising in recent weeks. Earlier this month, the Houthis accused Saudi Arabia of attacking an Iranian plane that landed in Sanaa and later departed carrying a Houthi delegation. Following that allegation, the Houthis threatened to target Saudi airports and “vital assets” if Riyadh violated their airspace or attempted another attack.

Against that context, the Yemeni government has framed the latest strike as part of its effort to stop what it calls violations of Yemeni airspace by Iranian aircraft. On Monday, the defence minister said the government had exhausted diplomatic efforts to persuade Iran and the Houthis to halt such flights, and warned that government forces would respond to any “hostile aircraft” entering Yemen’s airspace “by all available means,” while holding Iran responsible.

The current escalation has also revived fears of cross-border strikes on Saudi Arabia, a pattern seen during earlier phases of the war. The source material notes that the latest confrontation raises the spectre of renewed Houthi attacks on the kingdom despite a UN-backed ceasefire that had largely frozen the conflict.

Separate from the airport dispute, Moammar bin Mutahar Al-Eryan, the information minister in the internationally recognised government, said the Houthis had detained an aircraft belonging to the International Committee of the Red Cross at Sanaa airport and were holding its pilot and co-pilot. The claim adds to concerns about operational constraints and risks faced by international humanitarian actors.

The Yemeni government’s justification for the runway strike was presented in its Monday statement, which said the Houthis blocked “Yemeni national aircraft” from landing at Sanaa airport and insisted an Iranian aircraft enter Yemeni airspace. The government said this was why “the airport runway was targeted.” The source material does not provide independent verification of the government’s account.

The Defence Ministry evacuation warning explicitly named civilians, workers, diplomatic missions and humanitarian organisations, directing them to leave the airport and its surroundings immediately and to remain away “until further notice.” The source material does not say whether the warning was followed, nor does it provide details on damage or casualties from the strike.

The Houthis’ account differed, saying the plane was able to land in Hodeidah and describing its passengers as including “medical patients and stranded citizens” alongside an “official delegation.” The group also attributed the runway strike to Saudi Arabia without offering evidence. Separately, the Saudi-led coalition reported intercepting ballistic missiles launched “towards the southern region” of Saudi Arabia, describing the projectiles as a “ballistic missile threat” fired by what it called the “terrorist Houthi militia.”

Iran’s condemnation, as reported by IRNA, cited international legal principles, calling the strike a “clear violation of international law and the United Nations Charter” and “an affront to Yemen’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity.” The source material includes no immediate Saudi response to the incident.

By the end of Monday, the key confirmed claims in the source material were: the Yemeni government’s announcement that it targeted Sanaa airport’s runway; the Houthis’ statement that an Iran-linked aircraft landed in Hodeidah; and the Saudi-led coalition’s report that it intercepted ballistic missiles fired towards southern Saudi Arabia.

Diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation were also under way. Hans Grundberg, the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, said his office was in contact with all parties and urged restraint, warning of the danger of escalation. In a statement, he said:

“We are urging them to de-escalate and refrain from any actions that would risk a new cycle of violence in Yemen,”

Further information on any additional military action, investigations, or responses from Saudi authorities was not provided in the source material.