Yemen Threaten Saudi Arabia After Airspace Intrusion to Block Iranian Flight
Yemeni forces warned Saudi Arabia of strikes on airports and vital interests after saying Saudi warplanes entered Yemeni airspace to stop an Iranian civilian flight.
Yemen, PUREWILAYAH.COM – The Yemeni Armed Forces warned Saudi Arabia of a broad response after saying Saudi warplanes violated Yemeni airspace in an attempt to prevent an Iranian civilian aircraft from landing at Sana’a International Airport.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Yemeni Armed Forces said a formation of Saudi warplanes entered Yemeni airspace at 5:20 a.m. in an attempt to stop an Iranian civilian aircraft carrying more than 200 stranded Yemeni citizens, wounded individuals, and patients.
The statement said the attempt failed after Yemeni air defenses launched a number of missiles and forced the Saudi warplanes to withdraw from Yemeni airspace.
Saudi Arabia Warned Against Repeating Intrusion
The Yemeni Armed Forces warned Saudi Arabia against repeating any violation of Yemeni airspace or carrying out aggression against the country.
They said any such action would be met with a “comprehensive response” targeting Saudi airports and vital interests on land and at sea.
The warning came after the Yemeni Armed Forces described the attempted obstruction of the Iranian aircraft as part of the wider blockade imposed on Yemen.
Iranian Flight Carrying Patients Reaches Sana’a
According to the statement, the Iranian civilian aircraft was carrying more than 200 Yemenis, including patients, wounded individuals, and citizens stranded abroad.
The aircraft was heading to Sana’a International Airport, which the statement said has remained under an unjust blockade along with the rest of Yemen for nearly 11 years.
The flight was also linked to the transfer of Yemen’s official and popular delegation participating in the funeral ceremony of Martyr Imam Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei.
Sana’a–Tehran Flights to Continue
The Yemeni Armed Forces said they would not accept the continuation of the Saudi-American blockade and pledged to take all legitimate measures to end it.
They also stressed the need to end the blockade and foreign control imposed on Sana’a International Airport.
The statement expressed appreciation to the Islamic Republic of Iran for what it called an initiative to break the blockade by transporting patients, stranded citizens, and the Yemeni delegation.
The Yemeni Armed Forces affirmed that flights between Sana’a and Tehran would continue, saying the route would help break the blockade and ease the suffering of the Yemeni people “regardless of the consequences or repercussions.” (PW)