Houthis Warn International Airlines Against Flying in Saudi Airspace

Sanaa — Yemen’s Houthi group warned international airlines Monday against operating in Saudi airspace, saying the kingdom’s skies could become a “theatre of operations” as fighting between the two sides intensifies.

In a statement carried by the Houthi-run Al-Masirah television channel, the group’s Humanitarian Operations Coordination Centre said the warning was directed at airlines using Saudi airspace and was intended to protect civilian aircraft and passengers.

The Houthis claimed Saudi military aircraft were carrying out attacks against areas of Yemen under their control and said Saudi airspace should therefore be considered unsafe for civilian aviation.

The statement did not specify when or where potential Houthi operations could take place or identify any airports or air corridors that could be affected.

Saudi authorities did not immediately respond to the warning.

The statement came as fighting in Yemen escalated sharply Monday, with a Saudi-led coalition launching large-scale air operations and Yemeni government forces announcing a “strategic offensive” targeting Houthi-held Sanaa.

The coalition said 100 fighter jets participated in “Operation Dawn of Yemen” and claimed that 324 Houthi targets had been destroyed since the campaign began.

Meanwhile, Yemeni government forces launched a counteroffensive against Houthi positions overlooking the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, seeking to reverse recent Houthi gains near one of the world’s busiest maritime chokepoints.

A government military official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said forces from the Giants Brigades advanced under air cover into the Dhubab district of southwestern Taiz province, where fighting broke out around Houthi positions overlooking approaches to the strait.

“The forces are advancing on several fronts in Dhubab,” the official said.

Government troops, supported by local tribal fighters, recaptured several positions and cut a supply route used by the Houthis to reinforce forces near Bab al-Mandeb, according to the official.

Several Houthi fighters were also captured during the advance, though the official did not provide a number.

“The military operation is continuing, with Saudi-led coalition air cover supporting the ground forces,” he said. (Source: IANS)