Credited from: INDIATIMES
In a significant escalation of hostilities, Yemen's Houthi movement retaliated by firing missiles at Saudi Arabia's Abha International Airport after a reported bombing of Sanaa International Airport by the Yemeni government. This shift marks a decisive end to the four-year truce that had largely held since March 2022, according to India Times and South China Morning Post.
Yahya Saree, the Houthi military spokesperson, confirmed the strikes as a direct response to what they termed "blatant aggression" by Saudi Arabia. Earlier, the Houthis accused Saudi forces of targeting Sanaa International Airport to stop a plane carrying a Houthi delegation returning from Iran. This confrontation has disrupted relative calm and raised fears of renewed conflict along the Saudi border with Yemen, as stated by Middle East Eye and South China Morning Post.
The Yemeni government's defense ministry asserted that the bombing of Sanaa's runway was necessary to prevent an Iranian aircraft from landing illegally in Yemen, thereby stating it would respond to any hostile incursions with full force. The tensions surrounding airport operations highlight the fragile nature of recent de-escalation efforts, according to Middle East Eye and India Times.
Saudi Arabia's military coalition reported intercepting missiles launched toward the southern region, emphasizing the potential for renewed conflict and threats to Red Sea shipping routes, which have faced risks from Houthi attacks in the past. The Houthis have previously warned airlines against flying in Saudi airspace until the blockade on Sanaa Airport has been lifted, stressing the gravity of the situation, as highlighted by Middle East Eye and India Times.
The collapse of a recent ICRC-mediated prisoner exchange deal illustrates the deteriorating relations between the opposing factions in Yemen, with both sides blaming each other for the breakdown. The ongoing conflict, fueled by international support dynamics, remains one of the major humanitarian crises globally, according to Middle East Eye, South China Morning Post, and India Times.