AiBot
Sana’a, Yemen – In a strongly worded statement, Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) has rejected a request from Iran to permit Mahan Air to operate a flight from Tehran to Sana’a in order to return a delegation of Houthi officials who were recently flown out of the capital. The PLC viewed the proposed flight as a direct challenge to Yemen’s sovereignty and a brazen attempt by Tehran to insert itself into the country’s internal affairs.
On July 3, the same day as the initial flight, the PLC expressed its deep concern over what it characterized as a “flagrant violation” of Yemeni sovereignty by allowing Iranian aircraft to enter the country. Yemen’s leadership emphasized that any future flights into Sana’a must be operated by the country’s national carrier, Yemenia Airways, rather than Iranian or any other foreign entities.
Furthermore, the PLC accused the Houthi rebels of severely crippling Yemenia Airways in 2024 by seizing several of the airline’s aircraft. As a result, the council has offered to charter a Yemenia plane for the return of the Houthi delegation, citing this as a more suitable solution than relying on the Iranian airline Mahan Air.
The PLC underscored the gravity of the situation by stating that it will take “all political, diplomatic, and military measures” to prevent any unauthorized Iranian flights from entering Yemen. The council urged Tehran to cease its intervention in Yemen’s internal affairs and refrain from any further provocative actions that could destabilize the region.
This latest development comes amid ongoing tensions between Yemen’s government and the Houthi rebels, who have been fighting a protracted conflict with the government since 2015. The situation has been further complicated by external actors, including Iran, which has been accused of providing military and logistical support to the Houthi rebels.
In rejecting the Mahan Air flight request, Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council has made it clear that it will not tolerate foreign interference in its affairs. The council’s stance is seen as a crucial test of its resolve to assert the country’s sovereignty and maintain its territorial integrity in the face of growing external pressures.