Saudi-led coalition vows unprecedented force as Houthis block warplanes and Iran lands in Sanaa

Sana’a’s airport witnessed an unprecedented development on Tuesday when an Iranian military aircraft landed for the first time in ten years, after Houthi forces barred Saudi coalition warplanes from using the facility. The move, confirmed by Yemen’s aviation authority, marks a sharp escalation in the already tense standoff between the Iran‑aligned Houthi rebels and the Saudi‑led coalition that has been conducting air operations against the insurgents since 2015. Officials said the Iranian plane, a transport aircraft carrying logistical supplies, was escorted to the runway by Houthi fighters, while Saudi aircraft were denied clearance and forced to divert to alternate airfields in the region.

The incident follows a series of recent confrontations, including Houthi missile strikes on Saudi oil infrastructure and retaliatory air raids by the coalition. Tehran has denied direct involvement in the conflict, but the landing underscores a growing willingness by the Houthis to openly align with Iran’s military assets. International observers warned that the breach could further destabilize the fragile ceasefire negotiations brokered by the United Nations, raising concerns about a broader regional spillover. Both Saudi Arabia and the United States have called for an immediate de‑escalation, urging all parties to respect existing aviation protocols and to resume diplomatic dialogue to prevent further escalation.