Houthi rebels warn of retaliation after Saudi-led coalition strikes in Yemen

Key Points:

• Iranian-backed Houthi rebels reported that Saudi airstrikes hit Sanaa International Airport, while Yemen's internationally recognized government claimed the strikes aimed to prevent an Iranian plane carrying a Houthi delegation from landing.
• Saudi Arabia has not confirmed the airstrikes, but tensions escalated earlier this month after Saudi planes reportedly violated Houthi airspace to block an Iranian flight to Tehran for Iran’s Supreme Leader's funeral.
• The Yemeni government ordered all airports closed indefinitely and evacuated the area around Sanaa airport following the strikes, while the Houthis warned that the attack marked the end of a "de-escalation" period and vowed retaliation.
• Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council, backed by Saudi Arabia, denied Iran's request to operate a flight from Tehran to Sanaa, citing violations of legal and sovereign civil aviation frameworks.
• The U.N. special envoy for Yemen expressed concern over potential escalation and urged all parties to maintain dialogue to preserve the relative calm experienced since 2022 amid Yemen’s ongoing civil war.