Runway at Sana’a Airport Struck as Iranian Plane Approached
Mahan Air flight W51199, operated by an Airbus A340 registered EP-MCC, departed from Tehran for Sana’a and entered Yemeni airspace after crossing Oman. The aircraft was reported to be carrying Yemeni civilians along with a Houthi delegation returning from Iran.
As the aircraft approached Yemen, Saudi fighter jets were reportedly operating in Yemeni airspace. The Saudi-backed government based in Aden stated that the flight had been conducted without authorization and accused Iran and the Houthis of violating Yemen’s airspace. The Houthis, meanwhile, warned that any attempt to interfere with the aircraft would trigger retaliation against Saudi Arabia.
Yemen’s Ministry of Defense announced that the runway at Sana’a International Airport was targeted in an attempt to prevent the Iranian aircraft from landing. The Houthis claimed the strike was carried out by Saudi Arabia and vowed to respond.
Following the airstrike, the Mahan Air aircraft briefly disappeared from FlightRadar24 before reappearing on radar. It later landed safely at Hodeidah International Airport in western Yemen.
