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after a 4-year ceasefire

BREAKING: Houthis Warn Airlines to Avoid Saudi Airspace After Striking Abha Airport

Yemen’s Houthis issue urgent warning to airlines: Avoid Saudi airspace until Sanaa Airport blockade ends. Follows Houthi strike on Abha Airport in major escalation.

Houthi strikes in the Red Sea area

Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels issued a stark warning to international airlines on Tuesday, urging them to avoid flying through Saudi Arabian airspace until restrictions on Sanaa International Airport are lifted.

In a televised statement, Houthi military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree claimed the group launched ballistic missiles and drones at Abha International Airport in southern Saudi Arabia in retaliation for what they described as a Saudi strike on Sanaa Airport. Saudi air defenses intercepted the attack, with no casualties reported.

“ We warn all airlines against transiting through the airspace of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” Saree said. “These warnings should be taken seriously until the blockade on Sanaa International Airport is completely lifted.”

The escalation comes after government forces allegedly bombed Sanaa’s runway to prevent an Iranian Mahan Air flight — reportedly carrying a Houthi delegation — from landing. The plane was diverted to Hodeidah.

The development ends a fragile de-escalation period that had largely held since the 2022 truce and threatens to further destabilize regional aviation and UN-mediated peace efforts. Saudi Arabia has not yet issued an official response to the latest Houthi claims.

Aviation authorities and airlines are expected to review risk assessments for flights over the Arabian Peninsula in the coming hours.

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