Houthis’ grip on airspace undermines Yemeni government’s authority

SANA’A –A Yemeni political coalition comprising 22 parties called on the internationally-recognised government to regain full control of the country’s airspace, condemning the Houthi movement for preventing flights from landing at Al-Mokha International Airport. The coalition accused the Iran-aligned group of escalatory behaviour and blatant disregard for its obligations.

In a statement on Monday, the National Bloc of Political Parties and Components criticised the Houthis following allegations by the Yemeni presidency that the group had blocked a Yemenia Airlines flight arriving from Jeddah, marking the first scheduled civilian operation to Al-Mokha airport in Taiz province, south-west Yemen.

The coalition said it “categorically condemns the terrorist conduct of the Houthi militia, which, through the Civil Aviation Authority under its control in Sana’a, prevented the Yemenia Airlines flight and its civilian passengers from landing.” It described the incident as a serious act of terrorism aimed at disrupting state institutions, suffocating civilian life and undermining any attempt at stability.

The statement further argued that continued Houthi control over a sovereign sector such as aviation is unacceptable. It called for the urgent relocation of the Civil Aviation Authority to the temporary capital of Aden, thereby liberating Yemeni airspace from Houthi coercion. The coalition urged the Presidential Leadership Council and government to act swiftly to restore control over Sana’a and all provinces under Houthi rule, end the group’s crimes against civilians and re-establish state authority and institutions.

In a further escalation, the Houthis detained a retired military pilot in Sana’a on Monday after he publicly criticised the militia’s intervention to prevent the civilian flight from landing at Al-Mokha.

Rights sources told local media that Houthi security forces, accompanied by female Zainabiya police units, raided the home of Colonel Miqbal Alkawmany, confiscated personal belongings and arrested him. He was reportedly taken to an unknown location, with his family given no official explanation, an action seen as part of the Houthis’ pattern of extrajudicial detention.

Alkawmany’s brother, Yahya, said armed Houthis stormed the family home, instilling fear among children and neighbours, before taking his brother away. Posting on Facebook, he said the pilot’s fate remains unknown and called on their tribe, Al-Hadda, to stand in solidarity. He criticised the Houthis for failing to use official channels to summon his brother, instead resorting to violent measures.

Although Al-Mokha Airport lies in territory nominally controlled by the government, all Yemeni airspace is managed from the Sana’a air navigation centre, under Houthi authority. The flight was intended to be the first operational service at the airport, whose construction began in 2021 and was officially declared ready in April 2024. However, progress has been repeatedly stalled due to Yemen’s 11-year-long conflict between government forces and the Houthis.

The incident highlights the ongoing challenges the Yemeni government faces in asserting sovereignty, particularly over critical infrastructure, and underscores the Houthis’ continued ability to exert control and disrupt civilian life across areas beyond their direct territorial holdings.