Yemen’s Houthis Accuse Saudi Arabia of Targeting Iranian Plane in Sana’a

Sana’a — Yemen’s Houthi movement accused Saudi Arabia on Friday of violating the country’s airspace in an attempt to block an Iranian civilian aircraft from landing at Sana’a International Airport, warning of retaliatory strikes against Saudi airports if such actions are repeated.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said Saudi warplanes entered Yemeni skies “to prevent a civilian Iranian plane carrying more than 200 passengers, including stranded citizens, wounded, and patients, from landing.” He claimed Houthi air defenses fired missiles at the Saudi aircraft, forcing them to withdraw.

“The attempt failed,” Saree declared, adding that any future violations would be met with “a comprehensive response targeting Saudi airports and vital interests on land and sea.”

Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV reported that the Iranian plane successfully landed in Sana’a before departing for Tehran, carrying a Houthi delegation attending the funeral of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in U.S.–Israeli strikes in February.

The accusation comes amid heightened regional tensions, with the Houthis framing the incident as part of Saudi Arabia’s broader campaign to restrict access to Yemen’s airspace.