Houthis say they hit Abha airport after Sanaa airport strike
The Yemeni group said it used missiles and drones against Saudi Arabia’s Abha airport, while disputing who was behind the strike on Sanaa airport.
By Sofia Marchetti · World Affairs Correspondent
1 min read
Yemen’s Houthis said they targeted Saudi Arabia’s Abha airport with missiles and drones after a strike on Sanaa’s international airport. The claim points to a new exchange involving airports, with the Houthis also warning airlines to stay out of Saudi airspace.
The Houthis described the Abha operation as retaliation for the attack on Sanaa airport, according to Al Jazeera. They blamed Saudi Arabia for the Sanaa strike.
Yemen’s government gave a different account, saying it had carried out the strike on Sanaa’s international airport, Al Jazeera reported. The report did not include details on casualties, damage or flight disruptions at either airport.
The competing claims leave responsibility for the Sanaa attack disputed. The Houthis’ warning to airlines adds a civil aviation risk to the confrontation, though no airline response was reported.
Abha airport is in Saudi Arabia, while Sanaa’s international airport is in Yemen’s capital. The Houthis’ statement linked the two sites directly, saying the Saudi airport was targeted because of the earlier strike on Sanaa.
Al Jazeera reported the developments on July 14, 2026. No further operational details were provided about the missiles and drones the Houthis said they used.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.