Yemen's Sanaa Airport Bombed To Stop Iranian Plane From Landing, Houthis Blame Saudi Arabia | Watch
Yemen's Sanaa Airport Bombed To Stop Iranian Plane From Landing, Houthis Blame Saudi Arabia | Watch Published By, Last Updated: July 13, 2026, 18:47 IST
Yemen's Sanaa Airport Bombed To Stop Iranian Plane From Landing, Houthis Blame Saudi Arabia | Watch Published By, Last Updated: July 13, 2026, 18:47 IST Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis on Monday said they would respond to an attack on Sanaa airport which they blamed on Saudi Arabia. Rapid Read News18 The runway at Yemen’s Sanaa International Airport was bombed as an Iranian Mahan Air aircraft was attempting to land, forcing the flight to divert to Hodeydah. Dramatic videos circulating online showed smoke billowing from the airport following the strike. Sanaa, controlled by the Iran-backed Houthis, was targeted by forces aligned with Yemen’s internationally recognised government. The Houthis later accused Saudi Arabia of ending a period of de-escalation and vowed retaliation. Flight tracking data and local reports indicated the Mahan Air aircraft changed course before landing at Hodeydah instead of Sanaa.
Houth-held Sana'a airport runway struck today by multiple airstrikes to block the Iranian plan from landing.The aircraft reportedly diverted its course toward the coastal governorate of Hodeidah.#Yemen pic.twitter.com/xjquhYF1JL — Ali Al-Sakani | علي السكني (@Alsakaniali) July 13, 2026 Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree accused Saudi Arabia of “ending the de-escalation phase and bearing full responsibility for the consequences of its aggression. We affirm that this aggression will not go unanswered or unpunished." However, the Yemen government said that its forces attacked the airport to keep the Iranian plane from landing there. Houthi broadcaster al-Masirah quoted the group’s transport minister as saying “the Iranian plane has landed on the homeland’s soil, carrying a number of medical patients and stranded citizens, accompanied by the official delegation of the Republic of Yemen". Tensions had been simmering for days before the latest strike.
Earlier this month, the Houthis accused Saudi Arabia of targeting an Iranian aircraft after it landed in Sanaa and departed with a delegation on board. Following that incident, the Iran-backed group warned it would target Saudi airports and other critical infrastructure if Riyadh violated Yemeni airspace or attempted another attack. The latest strike has fuelled fears that the fragile period of relative calm between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia could unravel, raising the prospect of renewed cross-border attacks. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree accused Saudi Arabia of “ending the de-escalation phase" and said Riyadh would bear “full responsibility for the consequences of its aggression." “We affirm that this aggression will not go unanswered or unpunished," Saree said. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author Shankhyaneel Sarkar Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18.
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