Saudi jets strike runway in Yemen to block Iranian plane

Middle East, News April 28, 2015 , by IRIA No Comments

Saudi-led coalition warplanes bombed the runway of Sanaa’s main airport to prevent an Iranian plane from landing in Yemen.

Saudi Arabia says it has bombed the runway in the Yemeni capital Sanaa to stop an Iranian flight from landing there because it allegedly refused to coordinate its flight with the coalition.

A Yemeni official also confirmed the bombing of the runway.

“The raids destroyed the runway, along with one plane,” Mazen Ghanem of Yemen’s aviation authority said.

A spokesman for the Saudi led coalition said that the runway is now out of service and is no longer able to accept aid flights.

Brigadier General Ahmed Asseri told Reuters that the plane had not coordinated with the authorities and ignored warnings to turn back.

Iran’s state news agency IRNA said the plane belonged to the Red Crescent and was carrying food and medical supplies. They said Saudi jets tried to force it turn back but the pilots ignored these “illegal warnings”.

Smoke rises after a Saudi-led airstrike hit a site where many believe the largest weapons cache in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, on April 21, 2015. Photo: Hani Mohammed/AP Photo

Saudi Arabia and its Arab allies have been waging a fierce air campaign – now in its fifth week – against Yemen’s Shiite Houthi group.The Saudi-led coalition began airstrikes on March 25, with the aim of toppling the Houthi government in Yemen, which it views as loyal to Iran.

The Houthis, for their part, denounce the offensive as unwarranted “Saudi-American aggression” against Yemen.

AA/RT/AB