Saudi Arabia Bombs Sanaa Airport to Prevent Iranian Plane from Landing

Saudi fighter jets bombed the runway of Sanaa Airport, the capital of Yemen, to prevent an Iranian plane from landing. General Ahmed Asiri, spokesperson for the Saudi army, confirmed this news in an interview with Reuters on Tuesday, April 27, stating that the Iranian plane had not coordinated with the regional coalition for landing at Sanaa Airport. According to him, the pilot of the Iranian plane also ignored warnings from the regional coalition forces and orders to return, which led to the coalition's fighter jets bombing the runway of Sanaa Airport. Iranian news agencies report that the mentioned plane was carrying humanitarian aid for the people of Yemen. IRNA reported that this aircraft belonged to the Iranian Red Crescent, which was tasked with delivering medical and food assistance to Yemen. According to IRNA, Saudi jets heavily bombed the 'control facilities and runway' of Sanaa Airport, causing the Iranian plane to return to Iran despite its 'unsafe and hazardous conditions.' The crisis in relations between Tehran and Riyadh has escalated in recent weeks following Saudi military attacks on Houthi rebels in Yemen. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, has warned that Saudi Arabia will be defeated, and the commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard has expressed hope that 'the next waves of the Islamic Revolution will overthrow the House of Saud.' Saudi Arabia claims that these attacks are aimed at preventing Iranian influence. Meanwhile, the number of casualties and displaced persons from the Yemen war continues to rise, with the United Nations reporting that over 300,000 people have been displaced from their homes in Yemen in just the past month. AFP also reported that at least 70 people were killed in the Yemen war on Tuesday. Yemeni rebels have emphasized that they will not return to the negotiating table as long as the regional coalition's attacks continue.