Saudi Strikes on Sanaa Airport Prompt Houthi Attack on Saudi Airport

The Houthi movement launched ballistic missiles and drones at Abha International Airport in Saudi Arabia on July 13, 2026, after accusing Saudi Arabia of air strikes on Sanaa International Airport. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree called the Saudi attacks "blatant aggression" that ended a period of de-escalation.

He said Saudi Arabia would bear the consequences and that the attack on Sanaa would not go unanswered.

Saree also warned airlines against flying over Saudi airspace until the blockade on Sanaa International Airport is lifted. Yemen's internationally recognized government said its armed forces struck the runway at Sanaa International Airport earlier the same day to prevent an Iranian plane carrying a Houthi delegation from landing.

The government's defense minister stated that diplomatic efforts to stop Iranian aircraft from violating Yemeni airspace had been exhausted and that forces would respond to any hostile aircraft "by all available means," holding Iran responsible.

Moammar bin Mutahar Al-Eryan, the information minister in the internationally recognized government, said the Houthis were detaining an International Committee of the Red Cross aircraft at Sanaa airport along with its pilot and co-pilot. Yemen's civil war and proxy warfare from outside powers has lasted more than a decade, with the Houthis controlling the capital and the recognized government operating from Aden in the south with Saudi and Gulf state backing.