Yemen Government Urges Action Against Iranian Flights to Sanaa

Yemen's permanent representative to the United Nations, Abdullah Saadi, has raised alarm over recent Iranian flights to Sanaa Airport, which are described as a challenge to state sovereignty. Speaking at an emergency session of the Security Council, requested by Yemen's Prime Minister, Saadi stated that these actions risk establishing a dangerous precedent that could undermine the principles of international law. He emphasised that the consequences of inaction could embolden armed groups worldwide to defy government authority without fear of repercussions.

Tensions escalated on Monday when Yemen's government forces fired at an Iranian Mahan Air flight attempting to land at Sanaa International Airport. This incident follows an earlier flight on July 3, which transported Houthi officials from Sanaa to Tehran for the funeral of Iran's former supreme leader. Saadi claimed that the later flight was not aimed at humanitarian assistance but was instead linked to military support for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Saadi stated, "This incident was meant to test the will of the international community to enforce its decisions," highlighting fears that such actions could embolden armed groups in other regions. The Yemeni government has documented evidence suggesting that the flight carried military-related personnel and equipment.

The envoy described the Houthis' preference for a foreign airline over an authorized national carrier as indicative of the political motivations behind the flights, asserting that the government had consistently sought to facilitate the safe return of Houthi representatives.

Despite taking defensive measures to stop the unauthorized flight, Saadi noted that the Yemeni government aims to avoid escalating the situation further to prevent a wider regional conflict. He urged the Security Council to condemn these Iranian flights as violations of Yemen's sovereignty and to enforce existing resolutions aimed at restoring stability within the country.

Saadi reaffirmed Yemen's commitment to a political solution based on the Gulf Cooperation Council initiative and the outcomes of various dialogues. The UN's special envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, assured Council members that his office was closely monitoring the situation, expressing concern over the potential for further escalation in the region.