Yahya Saree
Houthis issue fresh warning to airlines over Saudi airspace
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
- Yemen’s Houthi-run Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center reiterated its warning to airlines against using Saudi airports and airspace, exempting the airspace over Mecca and Medina.
- The center said the warning would remain in effect until what it described as the “aggression and blockade” against Yemen ends.
- It disclaimed responsibility for risks or consequences affecting aircraft, crews and passengers if airlines disregard the warning.
Yemen’s Houthi-run Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center has renewed its warning to airlines against using Saudi airports and airspace, threatening to disclaim responsibility for any consequences arising from non-compliance, according to a statement issued early Friday.
In the statement, the center urged airlines to take the warning seriously and avoid Saudi airports and airspace, with the exception of the airspace over Mecca and Medina.
The center said the warning would remain in effect until the end of what it described as the “aggression and blockade” against Yemen. It also disclaimed responsibility for any risks or consequences affecting aircraft, their crews or passengers if airlines ignored its warning.
The statement was issued under the slogan “Escalation for escalation,” signaling the Houthis’ stated intention to maintain pressure amid the ongoing dispute over Yemen.
The warning raises potential concerns for airlines operating routes through Saudi airspace, although the statement itself does not specify a date for the warning’s expiration beyond its stated conditions or detail particular measures that could be taken against non-compliant aircraft.
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