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Yemen's Houthi rebels said on Friday that they fired air-defense missiles at a Saudi warplane that entered Yemeni airspace near Sanaa International Airport, forcing it to leave, according to statements from the group's military spokesman, Yahya Saree.

The Houthis said the Saudi aircraft was attempting to prevent an Iranian civilian plane carrying more than 200 wounded, sick, and stranded Yemenis from landing at the airport, as reported by Al Jazeera, the Jerusalem Post, and TASS. The rebels said the warplane was forced out of Yemeni airspace after being targeted with several air-defense missiles.

Saree warned Saudi Arabia against further incursions and threatened to target Saudi airports and other vital interests if Riyadh violates Yemen's airspace or attempts an attack. "We warn the criminal Saudi enemy against repeating any attempt to violate our airspace or any aggression targeting our country. Such actions will be met with a comprehensive response targeting its airports and vital interests on land and sea," Saree said in a video statement, as quoted by Al Jazeera.

Coverage Comparison

Al Jazeera reported the Houthi threat to Saudi airports and vital assets, framing the incident as the rebels defending Yemeni airspace in response to Saudi provocation. The outlet noted that the Iranian civilian aircraft successfully landed at Sanaa International Airport and later returned to Tehran carrying the Houthi delegation meant to attend the funeral of Iran's former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in United States-Israeli strikes that triggered the Iran war.

The Jerusalem Post reported the Houthi warning against further incursions and the threat to target Saudi airports and vital interests. The paper also quoted Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi's earlier statement that the Iranian proxy would resume attacks on Israel if the Israel-Hamas War flared back up. The Jerusalem Post's account used terms like "criminal" and "aggression" in describing the Houthi actions.

Two TASS articles provided additional details. One described the Houthi missile launch against the Saudi warplane and mentioned that the Iranian plane carried over 200 wounded and sick persons. It also reported the Houthi threat of a comprehensive response to Riyadh, including strikes on Saudi airports and vital ground and maritime facilities, and their plan to maintain air links between Sanaa and Tehran. A second TASS article focused on al-Houthi's threat to strike Saudi oil facilities if the kingdom commits aggression against the rebels.

Key Claims

The Houthis claimed they confronted Saudi warplanes that entered Yemeni airspace near Sanaa International Airport and fired air-defense missiles at them, forcing them to leave. The group said the aircraft was attempting to prevent an Iranian civilian plane from landing.

The Houthis threatened a comprehensive response to Riyadh if such incidents recur, including strikes on Saudi airports and vital ground and maritime facilities. They also demanded an end to what they described as a Saudi-American blockade of Yemen and said flights between Sanaa and Tehran would continue.

Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi threatened to strike Saudi Arabia's oil facilities in case of aggression by the kingdom against the rebels. "All Saudi oil and vital facilities will become targets for our missiles and drones if [Riyadh] is drawn into aggression against our country," he said, as quoted by TASS. He also demanded that Riyadh end the blockade and interference in Yemen's internal affairs.

Al-Houthi also said the rebels would resume attacks on Israel if the Israel-Hamas War flared back up, as reported by the Jerusalem Post. The paper also quoted Defense Minister Israel Katz warning the Houthis against any attack, saying they will pay a price if their leader is found in Israel's sights.

On July 13, the Houthis accused Saudi Arabia of involvement in strikes on the runway of Sanaa Airport and said the de-escalation period in effect since spring 2022 had ended. On the same day, the rebels hit Abha International Airport in Saudi Arabia with drones and missiles, according to TASS. The Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted ballistic missiles over the south of the kingdom.

The Saudi-led coalition dismissed the Houthi statements as an attempt to "divert attention away" from the group's violations against the Yemeni people, and warned it would respond firmly and with "unprecedented force" to any attempts to target the kingdom or violations of Yemen's sovereignty, as reported by the Jerusalem Post.

Perspectives

Houthis (Ansar Allah): The group presents itself as defending Yemeni airspace and civilians, attributing the confrontation to Saudi aggression. They frame their threats as retaliation for Saudi actions, including the blockade and alleged strikes on Sanaa Airport.

Saudi-led coalition: The coalition dismisses the Houthi claims as an attempt to divert attention from the group's violations against Yemenis, and pledges a firm response to any aggression against the kingdom.

Israel: Defense Minister Israel Katz warned the Houthis against any attack, threatening consequences if their leader becomes a target.