Yemen: Iranian flights violate national sovereignty and challenge UN Security Council resolutions.

Yemen Condemns Iranian Flights as Violations of Sovereignty

The Republic of Yemen has firmly condemned Iran’s recent direct flight to Sana’a, operated by Mahan Air, which is under the control of Houthi militias. Yemen asserts that this action cannot be viewed as a humanitarian gesture, as claimed by the militias. Instead, it represents a serious violation of Yemen’s sovereignty and a direct challenge to relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, particularly those related to sanctions against the militias.

Yemen’s Official Statement

In a statement delivered by Yemen’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Abdullah Al-Saadi, during an emergency session of the Security Council in New York, the Yemeni government emphasized that this flight does not qualify as a regular civilian operation. It occurred without permission or coordination with the appropriate Yemeni authorities, violating international regulations governing air travel to sovereign states.

Military Implications of the Flight

Yemen’s government has documented evidence suggesting that the flight was not purely civilian. Instead, it involved the transport of personnel, expertise, and equipment of a military or dual-use nature. The Yemeni government reserves the right to present this information to the sanctions committee and the relevant experts’ team for appropriate action.

Mahan Air’s Controversial Background

Mahan Air is not a typical civilian airline. Over the years, it has been linked to logistical support for Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and has faced sanctions from various countries due to its activities related to transporting military personnel and equipment to conflict zones. The significance of this incident lies not only in the flight details but also in the political message it conveys. It attempts to establish a new reality that undermines Yemen’s state institutions and tests the international community’s resolve to enforce its decisions.

Threat to International Principles

These alarming developments threaten not only Yemen’s sovereignty and territorial integrity but also challenge the fundamental principles of the international system, including respect for state sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs. The Yemeni government highlighted that this incident sets a dangerous precedent in the Yemeni situation, raising critical questions about the Security Council’s ability to uphold international norms and maintain global peace and security.

The Broader Implications of Unlicensed Flights

The Yemeni government reiterated that the issue at hand extends beyond a state’s right to manage its airspace. It represents a deliberate attempt to impose a new reality that bypasses the legitimate government, challenges Security Council resolutions, and tests the international sanctions regime. The use of Sana’a Airport, which is outside the control of the legitimate Yemeni government, for unlicensed flights not only violates Yemen’s sovereignty but also creates a dangerous precedent that could encourage other armed groups to exploit civilian facilities outside government control.

Commitment to Civilian Operations

The Yemeni government has consistently viewed Sana’a Airport as a civilian facility that should serve all Yemenis. It has prioritized maintaining civilian flights through the national carrier whenever safety guarantees are in place. The government has also called for the release of funds unjustly held by the militias and has insisted that the airport not be used for military or political purposes that benefit the Houthi militias and their supporters.

Misrepresentation of Humanitarian Intentions

The Yemeni government criticized attempts to portray Iranian flights as humanitarian responses, arguing that this narrative obscures the true intention: to use Sana’a Airport as a platform for Iranian influence and to undermine Yemen’s state institutions. The government noted that the Houthis, with Iranian support, operated a second unlicensed flight to Sana’a despite clear warnings from the Yemeni government and international concern, further challenging Yemen’s sovereignty and Security Council mandates.

Defensive Measures and National Sovereignty

The Yemeni government has taken constitutional and legal measures to protect its airspace and has implemented necessary defensive actions to prevent the imposition of this new reality. It remains fully prepared to safeguard national sovereignty and enforce the law. After assessing military, security, and political factors, the Yemeni government opted not to escalate the situation, prioritizing civilian safety and national interests while avoiding giving the Houthis and their supporters an opportunity to drag Yemen into a broader regional conflict.

Call for International Support

The Yemeni government urges the Security Council to explicitly condemn the unauthorized Iranian flight to Sana’a as a violation of Yemen’s sovereignty and a direct challenge to relevant Security Council resolutions. It calls on Iran to refrain from operating any flights to Yemeni airports without the legitimate government’s approval and to cease all forms of interference in Yemen’s internal affairs. Additionally, the Yemeni government requests that all member states refrain from granting transit permits or facilities for flights to Yemeni airports not under the control of the Yemeni government unless coordinated and authorized by the appropriate authorities.

Investigating Violations

The Yemeni government also calls on the Security Council to task the sanctions committee and the relevant experts’ team with investigating the Iranian flight to Sana’a. This investigation should determine whether it involved the transport of individuals or equipment in violation of arms embargoes and sanctions established by relevant Security Council resolutions. The government emphasizes the need for strict enforcement of Security Council decisions regarding the situation in Yemen, particularly resolutions 2140 (2014) and 2216 (2015).

Upholding International Law

The Yemeni government asserts its right to take all legitimate political, diplomatic, and legal actions to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity. It emphasizes that it does not oppose the Iranian people but rejects policies that support armed groups, undermine state institutions, and interfere in internal affairs, violating principles of good neighborliness and the United Nations Charter.

Conclusion: A Test for International Principles

The Yemeni government concludes that the current situation represents a true test of the international community’s ability to uphold the principles on which it was founded, particularly respect for state sovereignty and enforcement of Security Council resolutions. Ignoring this incident or treating it as an isolated occurrence would send a dangerous message to armed groups and their supporters worldwide, suggesting that violations of state sovereignty and the use of civilian aviation for military purposes can occur without accountability.

The Yemeni people, who have made significant sacrifices for their state and their choices for peace and stability, look to the Security Council to fulfill its responsibilities in protecting international legitimacy and enforcing its resolutions.

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