‘Last warning’: Houthis to global airlines flying over Saudi airspace; spare Mecca Medina
The Houthi group has issued a final warning to international airlines to avoid Saudi airspace, declaring it a military theater. This follows recent deadly attacks on Saudi airports and has prompted the US to advise citizens to exercise heightened vigilance.
Why it matters
The threat to civilian aviation airspace creates significant risks for global travel and potential economic disruption in the region.
Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi group on Thursday issued what it called a “last warning” to global airlines over operating flights in Saudi airspace, saying the area had become a “theater for our military operations”. The group also claimed it had attacked King Khalid International Airport in the Saudi capital Riyadh with a ballistic missile.Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the missile “struck its target with precision and caused the disruption of airport operations.” There was no immediate confirmation from Saudi Arabia of the latest attack claim.“We reiterate our call and warning "for the last time" to all global airlines regarding the consequences of continuing to operate flights in Saudi airspace, which has become a theater for our military operations,” Saree said, adding that the airspace over the “sacred areas” in Mecca and Medina was exempt.The statement came hours after Saudi Arabia said a midweek attack on the same airport had killed…
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