Officials Condemn Suspension of Flights at Sana’a Airport, Holding US-Saudi Aggression Accountable

Officials have expressed their dismay at the suspension of Yemenia Airlines flights through Sana’a International Airport, viewing it as a clear indication of the aggressor countries’ lack of commitment to pursuing peace, and as a disregard for all the efforts made in this regard.

These officials have commented on the actions of the coalitiin of aggression, once again highlighting their manipulation of humanitarian issues, particularly the closure of Sana’a International Airport. They hold the US-Saudi aggression fully responsible for the consequences of this decision.

Raed Jabal, the Undersecretary of the General Aviation Authority, explained to Almasirah that the closure of Sana’a Airport and the manipulation of flight operations represent yet another tactic of the aggression to impose a siege, citing various pretexts. Unfortunately, this time, the pretext used is Yemenia Airlines.

Jabal emphasized that Yemenia Airlines operates from Sana’a Airport without any hindrances or restrictions on its accounts, and there are no valid reasons for suspending its flights. He squarely placed the responsibility and consequences of Yemenia Airlines’ flight suspension on the coalition of aggression.

Dr. Taha Al-Mutawakil, the Minister of Health in the caretaker government, further elaborated on the impact of Sana’a Airport’s closure. He stated that it creates setbacks for patients who had arranged for medical treatment abroad. Minister Al-Mutawakil also pointed out that the coalition of aggression has refused entry permits to both an Italian and an Indian medical delegation, comprising 50 medical specialists in various fields.

It’s worth noting that Sana’a Airport serves as a crucial lifeline for millions of Yemenis. Over the past year, the coalition of aggression has deliberately created uncertainty and instability around the airport’s status, despite the truce and de-escalation efforts.

Yemenia Airways has suspended flights to and from Sana’a International Airport under pressure from the US-Saudi aggression, which is viewed as an attempt to disrupt the ongoing Omani-mediated peace process.

Reuters has reported that Yemenia Airways will cease its flights between Sana’a and Jordan, beginning on October 1st.

On 9 August 2016, the Saudi-led coalition imposed restrictions on Yemen’s airspace resulting in the closure of Sana’a Airport to commercial flights, trapping millions of Yemenis in a war zone and preventing the free movement of humanitarian and commercial goods from entering through this route. As a result, thousands of Yemenis with long-term health conditions such as cancer, kidney, liver and blood conditions have died while waiting for treatment unavailable in Yemen.

The closure of the airport has also led to an almost complete halt to commercial cargo such as medicine, medical supplies and equipment coming into the country. Coupled with restrictions on Hodeidah port, this has caused prices of some medicine to double, making it unaffordable for most of the population and further contributing to the decline of Yemen’s health system, already decimated by the aggression.

With the beginning of the truce last year, the aggression tried to evade its commitment to open Sana’a airport and make flights only to one destination, Jordan, and for a very limited number.

Sana’a confirmed more than once that the continued closure of Sana’a airport proves the lack of seriousness of theUS-Saudi aggression to bring peace to Yemen.