A blocked Iranian flight to Yemen set off Houthis’ latest spiral with Saudi Arabia

A clash between Iranian-backed Houthis and Saudi Arabia has jeopardized a 2022 ceasefire in Yemen and could spark a new conflict in the Middle East, according to U.N. envoy Hans Grundberg. The escalation began when the Saudi-led coalition struck the runway of Sanaa's airport, preventing an Iranian flight carrying a Houthi delegation from landing.

The Houthis, motivated by the fallout of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, aimed to demand concessions from Saudi Arabia, insisting on lifting the Saudi blockade on their territories. The Houthis proceeded with the flight operated by Mahan Air, leading to a Saudi airstrike that disabled the airport. The Saudi-led coalition eventually allowed the flight to land in Hodeida, following an Omani-led effort to avert an escalation.

Subsequently, the Houthis attacked Abha airport in southwestern Saudi Arabia, blocked Saudi shipping in the Red Sea, and launched attacks on Saudi vessels and oil facilities. The Saudi-led coalition responded with strikes on Hodeida and Kamaran, Yemen's largest island in the Red Sea, and reinforced Yemeni troops along the front lines to launch a ground offensive against the Houthis.

In response, the rebels launched dozens of missiles and drones, killing dozens of troops and civilians, and attacked the Red Sea city of Mokha, severely damaging its crucial port. The Houthis face internal challenges stemming from deteriorating living conditions in their territories, which has raised public expectations for tangible improvements and generated growing internal pressure.