Yemeni Ministries Condemn Saudi Escalation, Reiterate Calls to Lift Blockade

Yemen’s Ministries of Finance, Local Administration and Rural Development, and Oil and Minerals have condemned Saudi Arabia’s disregard for the Yemeni people’s legitimate demands to lift the blockade imposed on the country for more than 12 years.

The ministries said in separate statements that the continued escalation and targeting of Sana’a International Airport, Hodeidah City and Port, and Kamaran Island reflected Riyadh’s determination to continue its military campaign and increase the suffering of Yemenis.

The Ministry of Finance said Saudi Arabia had chosen military escalation instead of responding to Yemeni demands, targeting Sana’a Airport before launching attacks on Hodeidah and Kamaran Island. It described the actions as a continuation of a hostile approach against Yemen and an attempt to deepen civilian suffering.

The ministry reaffirmed Yemen’s demands for an end to military operations, the lifting of the blockade, and the recovery of national resources.

The Ministry of Local Administration and Rural Development said the targeting of civilian facilities demonstrated continued disregard for Yemeni demands, describing the attacks as evidence of a continued escalation. It reiterated calls for an end to the blockade on all Yemeni airports and ports, the recovery of national resources, and the withdrawal of foreign forces from Yemeni territory.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Oil and Minerals and its affiliated bodies condemned the neglect of humanitarian demands, particularly the lifting of the blockade. It said the escalation began with the targeting of Sana’a International Airport before expanding to Hodeidah City, Hodeidah Port, and Kamaran Island.

The ministry said the attacks reflected a continued escalation against Yemen, reaffirming its call for an end to military operations, the lifting of restrictions on airports and ports, the recovery of national resources, and the withdrawal of foreign forces.

It added that Yemen’s options to defend its rights and dignity are guaranteed under international laws and principles, saying the escalation would not deter the Yemeni people from pursuing their demands until the blockade is lifted and the military campaign ends completely.

The closure of Sana’a International Airport has been one of the most significant measures of the Saudi-led blockade on Yemen since 2016.

The restrictions have cut off a vital gateway for medical evacuations, humanitarian aid, and civilian travel, worsening the country’s humanitarian crisis and limiting access to essential services. Sana’a has repeatedly called for the lifting of the blockade and the full reopening of the airport.