The Saudi-led coalition struck Sanaa International Airport's runways Monday afternoon, according to Yemen's internationally recognized government and multiple reports, shortly after an Iranian Mahan Air flight landed in the Houthi-held capital, breaking the Saudi-led air siege. The Iranian aircraft was diverted to Hodeidah.
Monday afternoon, Saudi-led coalition warplanes struck Sanaa International Airport in Yemen's capital, targeting runways and infrastructure, according to Yemen's internationally recognized government (Hadi government), Reuters reports, and multiple local sources. The attack came minutes after an Iranian Mahan Air passenger flight touched down at the Houthi-held airport, having departed Tehran earlier in the day — breaching the Saudi-led air blockade that has restricted flights to Sanaa since the Houthi takeover. The aircraft, reportedly carrying a Houthi delegation and injured personnel, was ultimately diverted to Hodeidah International Airport on Yemen's Red Sea coast, where it landed safely. Houthi-affiliated media accused Saudi Arabia of striking to prevent the landing of an Iranian plane.
Yemen's Defense Ministry called on civilians to evacuate the airport area and warned of further measures. Footage circulating on social media — cited by multiple reports — appears to show several precision strikes hitting the runway simultaneously.
The strikes mark a significant escalation in Saudi-Houthi tensions, which have been rising in recent weeks amid an uptick in Houthi attacks on Saudi territory and the resumption of Iranian commercial flights to Sanaa. The Zioneer previously reported on Saudi airstrikes in Sanaa overnight Tuesday (02:48 Jerusalem) and on Houthi retaliatory strikes, including a strike on Abha airport, after the initial claim of runway damage on Monday evening. The exact damage extent and any casualties are not yet reported.
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