Humanitarian Disaster Caused by US-Saudi Blockade ‘Unforgivable Crime’

The Ministry of Transport and Public Works, alongside its agencies, held an event in observance of International Civil Aviation Day, shedding light on the grave repercussions and long-lasting impacts of the U.S.-Saudi-led aggression’s bombing, destruction, and ongoing blockade of Yemen’s airports over the past decade.

In his address, Deputy Minister of Transport, Yahya al-Sayani, highlighted the dire humanitarian consequences of the blockade, which he said had intensified the suffering of the Yemeni people in an unprecedented manner.

He pointed out that the blockade had caused a humanitarian disaster, which has been condemned by 11 international organizations as an unforgivable crime.

Al-Sayani explained that Sana’a International Airport, once a gateway for Yemen to the rest of the world, is now severely restricted, with flights limited to just one destination operated by a single airline. He emphasized that this situation no longer meets the needs of millions of Yemenis who rely on the airport for medical treatment, education, employment, and family reunification.

The Minister also called on the international community, particularly the United Nations, to assume responsibility and exert pressure on the countries of the aggressor coalition to end the unjust blockade.

He further demanded that Saudi Arabia be held accountable for the destruction of Yemen’s civil aviation infrastructure, with reconstruction costs estimated to exceed 7 billion dollars.

In support of these statements, Prime Minister Ahmed Ghaleb al-Rahwi echoed the call for the complete lifting of the blockade on Yemen’s airports.

He noted that despite the continuous destruction of the airports, Yemen’s aviation personnel continue to make repairs and ensure the airports remain operational.

Prime Minister al-Rahwi also pointed out that the aggressor nations recently adopted a new strategy of blockade, but the strong resistance led by the Yemeni leadership forced them to reconsider their approach.

This call for international intervention comes as Yemen remains under a relentless blockade, with its airports and infrastructure suffering severe damage from years of airstrikes.

The event on International Civil Aviation Day served as a reminder of the ongoing challenges Yemen faces and the urgent need for global action to restore its civil aviation services and bring an end to the suffering of its people.