Raids target Sana'a Airport, Houthis announce end of de-escalation

The Yemeni capital, Sana'a, was subjected today, Monday, to a series of violent airstrikes that targeted vital facilities at Sana'a International Airport. Field sources reported that at least four raids hit the airport premises, while warplanes continued to fly in the skies, raising a state of widespread security alert in the city controlled by the Houthi group.

For his part, the military spokesman for the Houthi group announced that the raids directly targeted the airport's infrastructure, considering this attack a dangerous shift in the course of the conflict. The group confirmed through its media platforms that this operation effectively means the end of the de-escalation phase that was prevalent, vowing that this targeting will not pass without a deterrent military response in the near future.

In contrast, the Ministry of Defense of the internationally recognized Yemeni government clarified that the military operation was precise and targeted. The ministry indicated in a statement that the bombing targeted the airport runway to prevent an Iranian plane from landing, stressing that the move came to protect national sovereignty and prevent the arrival of unauthorized shipments to the armed group in Sana'a.

In a related context, the Yemeni Minister of Information directed direct accusations at the Houthi group of detaining a plane belonging to the International Committee of the Red Cross inside the airport. The minister explained that the group refuses to allow the plane to take off, and is detaining its pilot and co-pilot, which further complicates the humanitarian and human rights scene in light of the recent military escalation witnessed in the country.

This field escalation comes at a time when diplomatic efforts are suffering from a state of stagnation, as the government continues to carry out its duties from the interim capital, Aden. These raids raise international concerns about the return of comprehensive confrontations, especially after the Houthis' explicit announcement of stopping work on previous truce agreements, which puts the region before open scenarios of confrontation.

Targeting Sana'a Airport will not pass without retaliation and punishment, and we officially announce the end of the de-escalation phase.