Fears of renewed violence in Yemen intensified on Monday after the internationally recognised government said it struck the runway at Sanaa airport to prevent an Iranian aircraft from landing, while Houthi forces later launched ballistic missiles towards Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi-backed coalition said its air defences intercepted the missiles aimed at the kingdom’s southern region.
The developments marked the sharpest escalation in years and raised concerns that the fragile period of relative calm could give way to a broader confrontation.
The Yemeni government said the runway at Sanaa airport was targeted after the Houthis insisted that an Iranian aircraft enter Yemeni airspace despite government objections.
According to the government, the aircraft was carrying a Houthi delegation returning from Tehran.
Authorities also issued evacuation warnings for civilians, airport workers, diplomatic missions and humanitarian organisations before the strike.
Later, the Houthis said the aircraft landed safely in Hodeidah carrying medical patients, stranded citizens and the returning delegation.
The Houthis blamed Saudi Arabia for the attack and warned of retaliation.
Iran condemned the airport strike, calling it "a clear violation of international law and the United Nations Charter, as well as an affront to Yemen’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity."
The Yemeni government also accused the Houthis of preventing an International Committee of the Red Cross aircraft from departing Sanaa airport, while the ICRC said its staff and crew were safe and accounted for.
The Houthis later launched ballistic missiles towards Saudi Arabia, with the Saudi-led coalition reporting that the projectiles were intercepted.
The latest exchange followed days of rising tensions after the Houthis accused Saudi Arabia of targeting another Iranian aircraft earlier this month.
Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council head Rashad al-Alimi said he had ordered that the confrontation not be expanded.
The United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, urged all sides to avoid actions that could trigger another cycle of violence.
Analysts warned that continued retaliation could undermine the ceasefire framework that has largely contained the conflict since 2022, raising the prospect of renewed military escalation across Yemen.