PLC President: Turning Sana’a Airport into a Hub for Iranian Flights Is a Blatant Violation of International Law

  Riyadh

His Excellency President Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi, President of the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), received today, Sunday, Mr. Evgeny Kudrov, the Russian Ambassador to Yemen.

During the meeting, Ambassador Kudrov conveyed the greetings of Russian President Vladimir Putin to President Al-Alimi, along with his wishes for the president’s good health and happiness, and for security, stability and peace for the Yemeni people.

For his part, President Al-Alimi asked the ambassador to convey his greetings and best wishes to President Putin and to the friendly Russian people for continued progress and prosperity.

The meeting reviewed bilateral relations and prospects for enhancing cooperation at all levels. It also discussed joint efforts to further strengthen the partnership in a manner that serves the interests of the two friendly countries and peoples.

President Al-Alimi praised the deep-rooted historical ties between the Republic of Yemen and the Russian Federation, as well as Moscow’s longstanding role in supporting the development of Yemeni state institutions.

The President also highlighted the importance of Yemen’s consultations with the permanent members of the UN Security Council ahead of the Council’s emergency session scheduled for Monday. The session was convened at the Yemeni government’s request to discuss the serious consequences of Iran’s violation of Yemen’s sovereignty by operating a flight to Sana’a Airport, which is under the control of the Houthi terrorist militias. He described the move as a blatant violation of international law and relevant international legitimacy resolutions.

President Al-Alimi warned that any further Iranian attempt to repeat such actions would constitute a dangerous escalation and a deliberate test of the international community’s commitment to enforcing international law and UN Security Council resolutions. He reiterated that the Yemeni government has repeatedly affirmed that it does not oppose the operation of Sana’a Airport, but rather its use for military purposes.

In this context, the President said the government had presented a clear initiative allowing Yemenia Airways to operate flights to any mutually agreed destination under guarantees ensuring the safety of flights and flight crews. The initiative also included the possibility of leasing an aircraft to transport Houthi militia members from Tehran in accordance with applicable legal procedures.

He considered the rejection of this proposal clearly demonstrated that the issue was not humanitarian, as claimed by the Houthi militias, but rather an attempt to replace the national carrier with Iranian flights, which no responsible government could accept.

President Al-Alimi reaffirmed that the management of national airspace, approval of international flights, and coordination with civil aviation authorities are sovereign responsibilities that may only be exercised by the internationally recognized state as a member of the United Nations.

He warned that any direct engagement with an armed group in exercising such sovereign functions would not only undermine the Yemeni government, but also strip UN Security Council Resolutions 2140 and 2216 of their practical effect.

The President stressed that the consequences of such actions would extend beyond Yemen and create a dangerous precedent. He warned that it could encourage armed groups elsewhere to establish international relations and exercise sovereign powers outside the framework of the state, thereby undermining one of the fundamental principles on which the international order is based.

President Al-Alimi expressed hope for a unified international stance consistent with the principles of the United Nations to protect the sovereignty of all states without exception. He also reaffirmed the Yemeni government’s commitment to maintaining balanced relations with all countries.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Yahya Al-Shuaibi, Director of the Office of the Presidency.