Warplanes Reported Over Sana'a as Yemen's Interior Minister Warns of Escalating Threats to Bab al-Mandab and Saudi Arabia
Reports emerged Tuesday night of warplanes operating over Yemen's capital, Sana'a, while local sources reported multiple missile launches from Houthi-controlled territory, including the Barash Mountain area north of Sana'a and another launch reportedly originating from Hajjah Governorate toward the north. The reports could not be independently verified at the time of publication.
The developments come just hours after the Houthis claimed to have targeted what they described as a "sensitive target" at Saudi Arabia's Najran Airport with a drone, and one day after an Indian-flagged cargo vessel sank following an explosive attack in the southern Red Sea.
Against this backdrop, Yemeni Interior Minister Ibrahim Haidan, in an exclusive interview with Saudi newspaper Okaz, warned that Houthi threats against Bab al-Mandab have evolved into a direct regional and international security challenge, arguing that the group's maritime operations form part of a broader Iranian strategy aimed at controlling one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints.
"The security of Bab al-Mandab is no longer solely a Yemeni issue," Haidan said, stressing that protecting international shipping requires expanded regional and international cooperation, along with significant investment in Yemen's Coast Guard capabilities.
He called for advanced maritime surveillance systems linked to satellite networks, unmanned reconnaissance aircraft, rapid-response patrol vessels, and an integrated command-and-control structure capable of countering missile attacks, arms smuggling, and cross-border maritime threats.
Haidan also warned that continued Houthi attacks on international shipping and strategic infrastructure threaten not only Yemen's stability but also global trade and energy supply routes, underscoring the need for sustained international support for Yemen's maritime security institutions.
Although the minister confirmed that the government has implemented a comprehensive security plan to protect ports and strategic infrastructure, his remarks focused primarily on the growing military risks surrounding the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab amid the current escalation.
Background
Earlier, Sheba Intelligence reported intelligence indicating that the Houthis were preparing a new phase of operations targeting sensitive sites in Saudi Arabia and the Red Sea, following military reinforcements along Yemen's western coast and heightened readiness at missile and drone launch locations.
The reported missile launches from Houthi-controlled territory, the group's claim of striking Najran Airport, and the recent attack on the Indian vessel collectively reflect an escalation pattern consistent with Sheba Intelligence's earlier assessment that the Houthis are expanding simultaneous operations against both Saudi territory and international maritime traffic.