Yemen’s Houthis on Monday warned international airlines against flying through Saudi airspace. The group said Saudi skies could become a “theater of operations” as the military confrontation in Yemen continues to grow. The warning appeared in a statement broadcast by the Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV channel. The group’s Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center issued the statement. It addressed all airlines operating in Saudi airspace. The Houthis said they issued the warning to protect civilian aircraft and passengers.

Houthis Claim Saudi Airstrikes

The Houthis accused Saudi military aircraft of carrying out attacks on areas under their control in Yemen. The group said these operations made Saudi airspace unsafe for civilian flights. However, the statement did not give details about any possible Houthi operation. It did not say when or where such an operation could take place. The group also did not name any specific airports or flight routes that could face a threat. Saudi authorities had not immediately responded to the warning.

Fighting Intensifies Across Yemen

The warning came as fighting in Yemen escalated. A Saudi-led coalition launched major air operations on Monday. At the same time, Yemen’s government forces announced what they called a “strategic offensive” against Houthi-controlled Sanaa. The coalition said 100 fighter jets had taken part in “Operation Dawn of Yemen”. It claimed that the campaign had destroyed 324 Houthi targets since it began. The claims could not be independently verified.

Bab al-Mandab Becomes a Major Flashpoint

Fighting has also increased around the Bab al-Mandab Strait. The narrow waterway connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. It also serves as a key route for international shipping. The Houthis captured the Red Sea port city of Mocha on September 10. They took Mayyun Island, which lies inside the strait, one day later. The territorial gains prompted Yemen’s government forces to launch counteroffensives. Government forces aim to push the Houthis back and regain control of the areas recently captured by the group.

How the Yemen Conflict Began

The Houthis captured Sanaa in late 2014. The takeover triggered a major regional military response. Saudi Arabia led a coalition that intervened in Yemen in March 2015. The coalition backed Yemen’s internationally recognised government. The conflict has since created a prolonged political and military crisis, with fighting repeatedly threatening important land, air and maritime routes.