SANAA — Houthi rebels threatened attacks on Saudi Arabia's airports and vital assets on land and sea on July 3, 2026, following an alleged attempt by Saudi warplanes to prevent an Iranian civilian aircraft from landing at Sanaa International Airport.

Yemen's armed forces stated they confronted Saudi warplanes that allegedly attempted to block the Iranian civilian aircraft. Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree said in a video statement that rebels thwarted an attempt by Saudi warplanes to enter Houthi-controlled airspace at 5:20 a.m. (02:20 GMT). Saree stated the alleged intrusion was intended to prevent an Iranian civilian aircraft carrying more than 200 stranded, wounded, and sick citizens from landing in Sanaa.

Saree issued a warning in the statement: "We warn the criminal Saudi enemy against repeating any attempt to violate our airspace or any aggression targeting our country. Such actions will be met with a comprehensive response targeting its airports and vital interests on land and sea." He also stated that flights between Sanaa and Tehran would continue despite any possible consequences. Houthi media reported that the Iranian aircraft successfully landed in Sanaa and returned to Tehran with a Houthi delegation.

Houthi media indicated the delegation was attending the funeral of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Houthi fighters stated they were ready for any options to break what they described as the Saudi-American siege. The Houthi rebels have been at war with Yemen's government since 2015, a conflict that has resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths. Rebels control Sanaa, the capital, and much of northern Yemen, while the internationally recognized government holds much of the south.

Fighting between the Houthis and Yemen's government has largely been frozen since a United Nations-negotiated truce in 2022. In May 2026, the Saudi-backed government and the Houthis agreed to a prisoner exchange that included seven Saudis.