The Yemeni Armed Forces issued on Friday a statement to highlight a Saudi attempt to prevent an Iranian civilian aircraft from landing at Sana’a International Airport.
The statement indicated that the Saudi attempt failed through the interception of the warplanes by the Yemeni Armed Forces that thwarted this attempt by targeting the warplanes with a number of air defense missiles.
What follows is the text of the statement read by the military spokesman General Yahya Saree:
This morning, Friday, at 5:20 AM, a formation of Saudi enemy warplanes violated Yemeni airspace in an attempt to prevent an Iranian civilian aircraft carrying more than 200 stranded, wounded, and sick citizens from landing at Sana’a International Airport, which is along with Yemen, has been under an unjust blockade for nearly 11 years, however, thanks be to Allah, their attempt failed through the interception of the warplanes by the Yemeni Armed Forces that thwarted this attempt by targeting the warplanes with a number of air defense missiles, forcing it to leave Yemeni airspace by the grace and power of Allah.
Therefore, the Yemeni Armed Forces affirm the following:
First, we warn the criminal Saudi enemy against repeating any attempt to violate our airspace or any aggression targeting our country, such actions will be met with a comprehensive response targeting its airports and vital interests on land and sea.
Second, we will not accept the continuation of the unjust Saudi-American blockade on our country indefinitely, and we will take all legitimate steps to end this blockade.
Third, we call upon our dear people to continue the general mobilization and combat readiness in response to the call of our leader, Sayyid Abdul-Malik Badr al-Din al-Houthi, may Allah protect him.
Fourthly, we affirm the readiness of the armed forces, in all their formations, for any options the Leader may decide upon, and that their fingers are on the trigger to implement derectives aimed at breaking the Saudi-American siege on our dear people and expelling the occupiers.
Finally, we stress the necessity of ending the siege and the control over Sana’a International Airport. We commend and deeply appreciate the position of the Islamic Republic of Iran in taking the initiative to break the siege and transport the sick, the stranded, and the official and popular delegation participating in the funeral of the martyr, Sayyid Ali Khamenei, may Allah be pleased with him.
We affirm the continuation of flights between Sana’a and Tehran airports, Allah’s willing, to break the siege and alleviate the suffering of our dear, oppressed Yemeni people, whatever the consequences and repercussions.
An Iranian civilian aircraft was carrying more than 200 Yemeni patients and citizens stranded abroad landed at Sanaa International Airport on Friday, marking a historic breakthrough against the long-standing blockade imposed on Yemen’s airspace.
According to the Sanaa-based Saba News Agency, the flight transported patients requiring medical care, Yemenis who had been unable to return home, and an official Yemeni delegation traveling to Tehran to participate in the funeral ceremonies of the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Sayyed Ali Khamenei.
The delegation departed Sanaa aboard the same aircraft after the passengers were disembarked, joining dozens of international delegations expected to attend the multi-day funeral ceremonies in Iran.
Flight follows Saudi interception attempt
The arrival came hours after Yemen’s Armed Forces accused Saudi warplanes of violating Yemeni airspace in an attempt to prevent the Iranian civilian aircraft from landing.
Military spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree said Yemeni air defense units launched several surface-to-air missiles toward the Saudi aircraft, forcing them to withdraw and allowing the Iranian plane to complete its landing safely.
In a subsequent statement, the Yemeni Armed Forces praised the Islamic Republic of Iran for taking the initiative to break the blockade by operating the flight, saying it carried patients, stranded civilians, and the official and popular Yemeni delegation traveling to Tehran.
The military also declared that flights between Sanaa and Tehran would continue “regardless of the consequences,” stating the route as part of broader efforts to ease the humanitarian suffering caused by the blockade.
Air blockade has remained in place since 2016
The Saudi-led coalition imposed restrictions on Yemen’s airspace on August 9, 2016, leading to the closure of Sanaa International Airport to commercial flights.
The blockade also halted the transport of commercial goods, medicines, and humanitarian supplies through the airport, contributing to a worsening humanitarian crisis and significant economic losses.
Although limited flights resumed to select destinations during later periods, the airport has repeatedly faced renewed closures and airstrikes that destroyed large sections of its infrastructure.
Sanaa International Airport serves as Yemen’s principal air gateway and is estimated to provide access for nearly 80% of the country’s population, approximately 20 million people.