In a statement on Saturday, Yemen's internationally recognized government condemned Iran for operating a direct flight from Sanaa International Airport to transport Houthi terrorists to former supreme leader Ali Khamenei's funeral.
Yemeni President Rashad al-Alimi called the flight "a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the Republic of Yemen and a blatant challenge to international law," in the statement on his official website.
The flight, which took place on Friday, prompted an emergency meeting of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council (PLC).
During the meeting, the PLC described the flight as "a serious escalation that reaffirmed the Houthi militias' complete subordination to the Iranian regime," emphasizing the Houthis' "use of state institutions and border crossings to serve Iran's agenda at the expense of the interests of the Yemeni people."
The PLC argued that allowing international flights without the government's approval set a dangerous precedent, bypassed legitimate institutions, and exacerbated Yemen's political division.
PLC asked the UN to take concrete actions against such violations
The council further challenged the flight, saying it will "take all necessary political, diplomatic, legal, and security measures permitted under international law to protect the country’s sovereignty and legitimate institutions."
The PLC described the Iranian regime's decision to fly the Houthis to Khamenei's funeral from Sanaa Airport as a continuation of a dangerous, escalatory approach, adding that it holds both Tehran and the Houthis "fully responsible for the consequences of these actions and for any threats to the security of Yemen, the wider region, and international peace and security."
The council called on the United Nations, UN Security Council, and regional and international partners to take concrete actions to deter Iran from further violations.
The Houthi leadership has declared its intention to reopen Sanaa International Airport, according to reports from IRNA.