The Ministry stressed that the Iranian regime and the terrorist Houthi militia persist in violating the sovereignty of the Republic of Yemen and using Sanaa International Airport for purposes that contravene international laws and conventions, despite repeated warnings and the diplomatic and legal efforts exerted by the Yemeni government to prevent escalation.

The Yemeni Ministry of Defense also affirmed that the safety of civilians and humanitarian workers is a top priority, and it holds the Iranian regime and the terrorist Houthi militia fully legally and morally responsible for any consequences that may result from the continuation of these violations.

For his part, Dr. Rashad Muhammad al-Alimi, President of the Presidential Leadership Council and Supreme Commander of the Yemeni Armed Forces, affirmed that the developments witnessed in Yemen today confirm that the terrorist Houthi militias persist in their approach of undermining all opportunities for de-escalation and rejecting all initiatives aimed at protecting the interests of citizens and preserving Yemen's security and stability.

Al-Alimi continued that the Houthi militias insisted, despite the strenuous efforts made by brothers and friends, and despite the mediations and good offices aimed at containing the situation, on proceeding with receiving a new Iranian air flight outside the legal and sovereign frameworks regulating civil aviation movement, in a step that reflects a deliberate disregard for state institutions and an explicit rejection of all efforts to prevent Yemen from sliding into further escalation.

He pointed out that the Yemeni government had proposed and still proposes, with full responsibility, its readiness to resume civilian flights through the Yemeni Airways company, the national carrier legally authorized to operate flights to and from Sanaa Airport. It also expressed its readiness to facilitate the transport of Houthi militia elements from Tehran to Sanaa via a chartered aircraft by Yemeni Airways, in a manner that preserves the interests of citizens, ensures the continued operation of the airport, while respecting the sovereignty of the Yemeni state and its obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions.

He added that the Houthi militias rejected all those initiatives and insisted on imposing a fait accompli outside state institutions, confirming once again that their goal was never to serve citizens or alleviate their suffering, but rather to entrench division, undermine state institutions, drag Yemen into a wider conflict, and use civilians and their national resources as tools to serve projects unrelated to the interests of the Yemeni people.

Al-Alimi reiterated that the support these practices receive from the Iranian regime, and the continued use of means and companies subject to international sanctions in carrying out these violations, does not change the fact that direct responsibility for this escalation lies with the Houthi militias that chose, by their own will, to reject peace, renege on initiatives, and continue to violate Yemeni sovereignty and international legitimacy resolutions.

He continued that the Yemeni state affirms that protecting its sovereignty, airspace, and land, sea, and air ports is a national and constitutional duty that cannot be compromised under any circumstances. Accordingly, we direct the government, the armed forces, and the security agencies to continue raising the highest levels of readiness and vigilance, and to take all political, diplomatic, and legal measures, as well as all legitimate procedures guaranteed by the constitution and international law, to ensure the protection of national sovereignty, prevent the recurrence of such violations, and preserve the security and safety of citizens.

He concluded that, as we renew our call to the international community, we demand that it move from the stage of condemnation to the stage of deterrence, and enforce Security Council resolutions, foremost among them Resolutions 2140 and 2216, and apply the sanctions regime with full firmness, to ensure respect for the sovereignty of the Republic of Yemen and prevent these repeated violations from becoming a fait accompli that threatens regional and international peace and security.