Strategic justification behind the aerial interception

The government of Yemen said the strikes were carried out in order to prevent an Iranian plane from landing. But Houthis have vowed to retaliate for the strike as the incident marks the first such escalation between Houthis and Riyadh, AP reported.

The moment Saudi airstrikes hit Sana’a International Airport. pic.twitter.com/syYhcpz7SK

— Ariel Oseran أريئل أوسيران (@ariel_oseran) July 13, 2026

Coalition operations and the breach of de-escalation

A Saudi-led coalition in Yemen has been fighting the Houthis in the north for a long time. Houthi official Brigadier General Yahya Saree said Saudi Arabia launched airstrikes on Monday, ending a period of “de-escalation”, adding that “this aggression will not go unanswered or unpunished.”

This image taken from video broadcast by Al-Masirah TV, a Houthi-controlled news channel, shows an explosion at the Sanaa International Airport compound during what the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen said were several Saudi airstrikes in Sanaa, Yemen. (AP)

Historical context of recent airspace disputes

The development comes after tensions flared between the two sides this month when the Houthis accused planes from Saudi Arabia of breaching their airspace to prevent an Iranian plane carrying a Houthi delegation to Tehran for the funeral of Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

This image taken from video broadcast by Al-Masirah TV, a Houthi-controlled news channel, shows a projectile striking the Sanaa International Airport compound during what the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen said were several Saudi airstrikes in Sanaa, Yemen. (AP)

Official ministerial statement on target details

In a post on X, Yemen’s defence minister, Gen. Taher al-Aqili, informed that Sana’a International Airport’s runway was attacked on Monday, so that an Iranian plane carrying a Houthi delegation from the ex-supreme leader of Iran could not land.

Warnings of imminent retaliation and flight diversion

“At this moment, we say that our patience has run out. Accordingly, we will respond appropriately to this treacherous and brutal act, and we will confront and deal with the hostile aircraft violating Yemeni airspace and sovereignty by all available means,” Taher al-Aqili said.

Houthis later said the plane was diverted to Hodeida Airport, where it landed safely. Video footage purportedly showing the strike on the Sana’a airport went viral on social media, allegedly showing a missile strike followed by a loud explosion.