The Minister of Information stated that the Houthis’ reliance on Iranian aircraft highlights their efforts to integrate Sanaa Airport into Iran’s supply network.
Houthi Resistance to Yemeni Airlines Exposes True Intentions
Minister of Information Highlights Houthi Agenda
Minister of Information Muammar Al-Eryani criticized the Houthi militia for refusing to allow Yemenia Airlines to operate flights to and from Sanaa International Airport. He emphasized that their insistence on using Iran’s Mahan Air reveals their true intentions regarding civil flight operations. Al-Eryani stated that the Houthis aim to reopen air routes with Iran, not to alleviate the suffering of patients and travelers, but to support their destructive agenda in Yemen and the broader region.
Government Efforts for Humanitarian Flights
In a recent press statement, Al-Eryani explained that the legitimate government has taken all necessary steps to ensure the continuation of humanitarian flights through Yemenia Airlines. These efforts aim to uphold the rights of Yemenis to travel, seek medical treatment, and move freely while maintaining air navigation safety and adhering to international regulations. However, the militia has rejected these proposals, insisting that only Iranian flights operate from Sanaa, a stance that lacks any humanitarian justification and appears driven by military objectives.
Historical Context of Houthi Intentions
Al-Eryani pointed out that the Houthis’ past actions reveal their true intentions. Following their coup, the militia quickly signed an agreement with Iran to operate 14 weekly flights between Sanaa and Tehran. This decision raised questions, as there was no substantial civilian, commercial, or humanitarian need for such a high frequency of flights, especially given the absence of a Yemeni community or significant trade activity between the two countries.
Military Implications of Iranian Flights
Subsequent reports confirmed that these flights served as a cover for transporting Iranian Revolutionary Guard officers, Hezbollah members, and military experts, along with weapons and military equipment. This influx has bolstered the militia’s military capabilities, prolonging the conflict and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.
Concerns Over Mahan Air’s Activities
Al-Eryani noted that Mahan Air is under U.S. and international sanctions for its role in supporting the Quds Force and transporting weapons and fighters to conflict zones. Numerous testimonies have reported military shipments leaving Sanaa Airport after Iranian flights, protected by militia forces. This evidence suggests that the airport is being used for military purposes, contradicting civil aviation regulations.
Current Houthi Strategy and International Response
The minister asserted that the militia is attempting to replicate its previous strategy. They do not reject Yemenia Airlines due to an inability to operate flights; rather, they oppose the necessary security and inspection protocols that prevent the misuse of civil aviation for smuggling weapons and personnel.
Al-Eryani expressed concern over the militia’s exploitation of the Yemeni people’s suffering, promoting claims of a blockade while rejecting alternatives that would allow safe and regular travel for citizens. He emphasized that the flights they seek to operate are not intended for transporting patients and travelers but for reopening a channel of Iranian support that has fueled the conflict and prolonged the crisis.
Call for International Action
Al-Eryani urged the international community to focus on actions rather than rhetoric. He highlighted that the militia’s insistence on using a sanctioned airline and refusal to operate the national carrier exposes their complete subservience to the Iranian regime. For the Houthis, Sanaa Airport is not a gateway for serving Yemenis but a link in Iran’s supply chain that supports their insurgent project with weapons, expertise, and military technology, posing a threat to regional security and international navigation.
This article aims to provide clarity on the ongoing situation regarding air travel in Yemen, emphasizing the implications of the Houthi militia’s actions and the broader context of the conflict.
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