Sanaa declares Israeli military routes as combat zones
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In today's address, the Yemeni leader reaffirmed the capability of his armed forces to engage Israeli warplanes without disrupting international air or sea traffic.
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Ansar Allah supporters wear Muslim pilgrims' dress, known as "Ihram", as they burn American and Israeli flags during a pro-Palestine weekly rally in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, May 30, 2025 (AP Photo/Osamah Abdulrahman)
Yemeni President Mahdi al-Mashat announced on Friday that all air and maritime routes used by Israeli forces to conduct attacks on Yemen are now designated as dangerous zones for civilian and commercial traffic, as Sanaa steps up its military response to the ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza.
"For the safety of air and maritime navigation in the areas where our armed forces operate, we have issued directives to designate the routes used by the Zionist enemy to attack our country as dangerous zones for all companies," al-Mashat stated. He urged airlines and maritime operators to reroute, warning of impending military actions targeting the Israelis operating in these corridors.
The declaration comes days after Israeli warplanes struck Sanaa International Airport, prompting al-Mashat to directly warn Israeli settlers that their government could no longer protect them. "The government of filthy Netanyahu will not be able to protect you," he said, stressing that "bunkers will no longer be safe."
In today's address, the Yemeni leader reaffirmed the capability of his armed forces to engage Israeli warplanes without disrupting international air or sea traffic. "Our armed forces will be able to deal with the hostile Zionist aircraft without any harm to air and maritime navigation," he said.
Al-Mashat also hinted at imminent developments: "You will soon receive, God willing, good news about the Zionist enemy's aircraft used in the aggression against our country." He added that Yemen's air defenses would soon make those aircraft "a source of ridicule."
Al-Mashat speaks to Al Mayadeen
Al-Mashat also told Al Mayadeen that Yemen’s air defenses “will soon turn the enemy’s [Israeli] aircraft into a source of ridicule.”
He also stated, “Our air defenses are capable of engaging F-35 aircraft,” pointing out that “what had previously prevented us from doing so was the aircraft hiding near civilian jets.”
Yemen Strikes
His remarks came shortly before the Yemeni Armed Forces announced a hypersonic missile strike targeting Ben Gurion Airport in the occupied Lydd area, which reportedly disrupted air traffic and sent thousands of settlers fleeing into shelters. While Israeli sources claimed the missile was intercepted, Yemeni officials insisted the strike hit its intended target.
Yemen has since declared an aerial blockade on the Israeli entity, vowing to continue targeting airports and military infrastructure until Tel Aviv halts its war on Gaza and lifts the siege on the enclave.
Read more: Ben Gurion Airport targeted as Yemen vows continued support for Gaza
Brigadier General Yahya Saree, spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces, stated that these operations are part of Yemen's "religious, moral, and humanitarian duty" to support the Palestinian people.
Meanwhile, Ansar Allah's media official, Nasreddin Amer, warned international airlines to avoid Ben Gurion Airport, stating that "it is no longer safe" and will remain a target as long as the aggression on Gaza continues.
