Iran Lands Civilian Plane at Hodeidah, Testing Yemen's Sovereignty After Sanaa Runways Were Hit
Updated
Updated · en.majalla.com · Jul 20
Iran Lands Civilian Plane at Hodeidah, Testing Yemen's Sovereignty After Sanaa Runways Were Hit
2 articles · Updated · en.majalla.com · Jul 20
Summary
An Iranian civilian aircraft landed at Hodeidah after coalition-backed strikes destroyed Sanaa Airport runways, thwarting its planned return with Houthi officials from Ali Khamenei’s funeral.
The flight was widely seen in Yemen as more than transport: activists said Tehran ignored public warnings to signal regional reach, solidarity after Khamenei’s death on 28 February, and a willingness to breach Yemeni airspace.
The landing coincided with fresh military friction, with the Houthis saying the coalition hit Sanaa to block the aircraft and then launching missiles toward Saudi Arabia’s southern border that were intercepted.
At an emergency UN Security Council meeting, UN officials warned Yemen and the wider region could not afford another escalation and renewed calls for an inclusive, Yemeni-led political settlement and safer civilian air access.