Yemen Warns Saudi Airspace Violations Will Be Met with Response
Yemen’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said violations of Yemeni airspace by the Saudi regime are unacceptable and will be met with a response in accordance with international norms, laws, and conventions.
In a statement issued Tuesday, the ministry said the downing of Saudi drones inside Yemeni airspace confirms repeated violations and gives Yemen the right to respond in kind.
The ministry addressed those criticizing Yemen’s stance against airspace violations, saying they should allow Saudi aircraft to operate freely in their own airspace before condemning Yemen’s response.
It stressed that Yemen would not accept violations of its sovereignty and would take the measures it deems necessary to protect its territorial integrity.
The ministry also reaffirmed that the Unity of Fronts remains a firmly established religious principle regardless of developments, while expressing support for its regional allies.
In addition, the statement condemned Saudi threats against Iraq, warning that continued hostility toward its Arab and Islamic neighbors would carry significant consequences.
This comes amid escalating tensions following Yemen’s declaration of a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia and a no-fly zone over Saudi airspace, and Saudi airstrikes targeting Hodeidah and Kamaran Island.
In retaliation, the Yemeni Armed Forces announced on Monday that they had carried out a drone operation targeting several “sensitive sites and facilities” associated with the supply and transportation of crude oil from eastern Saudi Arabia to the Red Sea port of Yanbu.
Military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Yahya Sare’e said the operation was conducted using multiple waves of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), targeting infrastructure linked to the movement of crude oil toward Yanbu.
According to Sare’e, the strike was launched in direct response to repeated violations of Yemeni airspace by Saudi drones. He stressed that Yemeni forces would continue to respond militarily to any actions they consider violations of the country’s sovereignty.