Multiple Airstrikes Hit Sanaa Airport in Yemen; Houthis Blame Saudi Arabia

The Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have claimed that Saudi Arabia carried out multiple airstrikes targeting the international airport in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa.

Yahya Saree, a spokesperson for the Houthis, who control the capital city of Sanaa, stated in a Telegram message on July 13 (local time), "Saudi Arabia has conducted airstrikes on Sanaa Airport. The phase of de-escalation is over."

He further warned, "This act of aggression will not go unanswered, and we will certainly retaliate."

It is reported that the airstrikes on this day heavily damaged the runway and taxiways at Sanaa Airport.

Evacuation orders have been issued for Sanaa Airport and the surrounding areas.

On the other hand, the Yemeni government, which is fighting against the Houthis, denied the Houthi claim of Saudi involvement, stating that they were the ones behind the airstrikes.

They also explained that the purpose of the airstrikes was to prevent the landing of Iranian aircraft that support the Houthis.

The Yemeni Ministry of Defense stated in a release, "The terrorist group Houthi, supported by the Iranian regime, has been blocking Yemeni national aircraft from landing at Sanaa Airport while forcing the landing of Iranian aircraft that violate Yemeni territory." They added, "Consequently, we targeted the airport runway."

In Yemen, a Saudi-led Arab coalition based in the south has been engaged in a civil war for years against the Iran-aligned Houthi rebels who control the north.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.