Yemen Accuses Iran of Sovereignty Violation, Cites Sanaa Airport Concerns

Yemen has intensified its efforts at the United Nations, urging the Security Council to take decisive action against alleged Iranian violations of Yemeni sovereignty. This escalation follows the operation of direct flights to Sanaa Airport without coordination with legitimate authorities, which Yemen warns could facilitate support for Houthi rebels.

During an emergency session convened at Yemen's request, Yemen's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Abdullah Al-Saadi, stated that the Iranian flights constitute not merely a breach of aviation procedures but a direct challenge to Security Council resolutions and a subversion of Yemeni state sovereignty. He called upon the Council to address this issue as a matter impacting the credibility of the international legal system.

Ambassador Al-Saadi revealed that the Yemeni government possesses information and evidence suggesting that at least one flight was not exclusively for civilian purposes. According to this intelligence, the flight was allegedly used to transport individuals, expertise, and equipment with military or dual-use applications. He confirmed that these findings will be submitted to the International Sanctions Committee and the Panel of Experts on Yemen for investigation and appropriate action.

The Yemeni Ambassador specifically accused Iran's Mahan Air of operating flights to Sanaa Airport outside the approval framework of the legitimate Yemeni government. He cautioned that permitting such activities opens avenues for the use of airports and civilian facilities for purposes contrary to UN resolutions, potentially setting a precedent that could be exploited by armed groups in other conflict zones.

Al-Saadi emphasized that the Yemeni government does not view Sanaa Airport as a political bargaining chip but as a public facility that should remain operational for civilian services under legal guidelines. He noted that the government has supported the continuation of humanitarian and civilian flights when necessary guarantees were in place. However, he asserted that the Houthi militia has persisted in operating unauthorized flights with Iranian support despite official objections.

He further stated that the government has implemented measures to protect its airspace but has deliberately avoided actions that could endanger civilians or expand the conflict. Al-Saadi reiterated Yemen's commitment to a political settlement, contrasting it with accusations that the Houthi militia is undermining peace efforts and reneging on their commitments, including prisoner exchange agreements.

Ambassador Al-Saadi called on the Security Council to condemn the unauthorized Iranian flights and to compel Tehran to cease all flights to Yemeni airports without the consent of the internationally recognized government. He also urged the Council to task the Sanctions Committee and the Panel of Experts with investigating the extent to which these flights violate Council resolutions and to strengthen measures aimed at preventing the smuggling of weapons and experts to the Houthi militia.