SANAA — Yemeni government forces struck the runway at Houthi-controlled Sanaa International Airport on Monday to prevent an Iranian aircraft from landing, the Yemeni Defense Ministry said.In a statement carried by Saba news agency, the ministry said the Houthis had prevented Yemen’s national carrier from landing at Sanaa airport while allowing an Iranian aircraft to approach “in violation of Yemeni sovereignty.””As a result, the airport runway was targeted,” the ministry said.The Defense Ministry had earlier urged civilians to evacuate the airport and avoid the surrounding area, warning that the armed forces would respond to any violation of Yemeni airspace.Flight-tracking data circulating online showed that an Airbus A340 operated by Iran’s Mahan Air was en route from Tehran to Sanaa, drawing widespread attention after the Yemeni government’s warnings.The strike came hours after the Defense Ministry said the armed forces would take action against any unauthorized use of Yemeni airspace, stressing that the government had exhausted political and diplomatic avenues before resorting to military measures.Earlier, Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council Rashad Al-Alimi blamed the Houthis for the escalation, accusing the group of rejecting government initiatives to regulate flights through Yemen’s national carrier and respect the country’s sovereignty.
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