In Yemen, Sanaa airport runway bombed to stop plane carrying Houthis
In Yemen, Saudi Arabia-backed forces bombed the runway at Sanaa airport to prevent an Iranian plane carrying a high-ranking Houthi delegation from landing. As a result, the plane was forced to land in Hodeidah, The Hindu International reports.
Delegation's flight
On July 13, an Iranian civilian aircraft carrying a delegation of the Ansar Allah movement, known as the Houthis, was heading to Sanaa, Yemen's capital. The Houthis control the northern and northwestern areas of the country, including Sanaa.
Under an informal arrangement between the Houthis and Yemen's Saudi Arabia-backed government, aircraft seeking to land in Houthi-controlled territory were required to obtain permission in advance. The delegation left Yemen on July 3 aboard another Iranian plane to attend the funeral of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
The Hindu International article states that Khamenei was allegedly killed by the United States and Israel on February 28 during the war against Tehran.
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Government's objections
Yemen's Saudi Arabia-backed government protested the transportation of Houthi leaders aboard an Iranian plane, calling it a violation of the country's sovereignty. It also objected to the delegation's return on an Iranian flight and offered to arrange travel with another airline.
The government feared that the aircraft could be used to bring personnel from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and military equipment into Yemen. Despite this, the delegation decided to return on a Mahan Air flight. To prevent the plane from landing in Sanaa, Saudi Arabia-backed forces bombed the airport runway, after which it landed in Hodeidah.
The article describes the Houthis as a group that, through its control over part of Yemen and the Red Sea coast, years of war, and support from Iran, has become a significant territorial and maritime force.
