Saudi Arabia launched a wave of strikes on Houthi targets near the airport in Sanaa, which it controls, today (Monday). The attack was reportedly carried out to prevent an Iranian plane from landing. The timing was particularly dramatic, as just hours earlier an Iranian executive plane had managed to land at the airport, breaking a four-year Saudi air blockade.
🔴 مشاهد أولية من استهداف العدوان السعودي #مطار_صنعاء الدولي بعدد من الغارات#الرد_قادم pic.twitter.com/fc85oQONew
— قناة المسيرة (@TvAlmasirah) July 13, 2026
According to Yemen’s official news agency, the Saudi attack targeted the runways at Sanaa International Airport. At the same time, Iran reported that the plane that was supposed to land at the airport ended up landing in the city of Hodeidah, which is also under Houthi control.
Houthi spokesman Yahya Sarieh commented on the incident and issued a direct threat to Saudi Arabia: “In an unjust and blatant attack, the criminal Saudi enemy carried out an attack against Sanaa International Airport through several airstrikes, thus completing the phase of removing the symbol, and therefore it will bear the consequences of its attack. We emphasize that this attack will not go unanswered.”
The Houthi Ministry of Transportation also responded, “The Saudi enemy is taking steps to attack Sana’a International Airport in a number of criminal attacks as part of a dangerous escalation. The Saudi regime’s renewed attack on Sana’a Airport and violation of airspace, and its insistence comes with American-Zionist encouragement to continue the siege on Yemen’s airports and ports.”
It also wrote: “The Saudi enemy’s attack today on Sana’a Airport came after a clear warning from the Yemeni armed forces and popular support for breaking the siege, and within the framework of tribal campaigns and talks. The brutal Saudi aggression and the repeated crime will not go without a response, and it will be known to the Saudi enemy and the American who stands behind it that the era of guardianship over Yemen is over.”
As mentioned, earlier today, eyewitnesses in Sanaa reported that a passenger plane, which according to some publications belongs to the Iranian company “Mahan Air”, managed to land at the airport. The plane remained on the ground for only one hour before taking off again. According to reports, this is an executive plane that arrived to fly a delegation for urgent discussions with the leadership of the Houthi rebels.
Another Houthi source said that “Saudi Arabia has broken the 4-year ceasefire,” and called out: “All countries in the region must stand on their feet and prepare.” It should be recalled that another escalation between the parties occurred several days ago, when the Houthi terrorist organization tried to shoot down Saudi fighter jets that it claimed had entered Yemeni airspace and failed.
فرود یک هواپیمای دیگر در فرودگاه صنعا
شاهدان عینی در صنعا از فرود یک هواپیمای مسافربری در ساعت ۹ صبح امروز بهوقت محلی و خروج آن یک ساعت بعد خبر دادند.
برخی کاربران میگویند «این هواپیما متعلق به شرکت ایرانی ماهان است» اما مقامات یمنی هنوز خبری دراینباره اعلام نکردهاند. https://t.co/JeIlfYLu1u pic.twitter.com/e1XIl2Dh1l
— خبرگزاری فارس (@FarsNews_Agency) July 13, 2026
The Houthis said they launched air defense missiles at the planes, which did not hit them but did cause them to retrace their steps towards Saudi airspace. The terrorist organization then threatened that any further violation of its airspace by the Saudis would harm airports and vital interests in the kingdom – on land or at sea.