Yemen's Envoy to the UN Security Council: We Have Documented Evidence That the Iranian Flight Carried Military Equipment

The Permanent Representative of the Republic of Yemen to the United Nations, Ambassador Abdullah Al-Saadi, called on the UN Security Council to adopt a "clear and firm" position in response to what he described as a "serious violation" of Yemen's sovereignty during an emergency session convened at the request of the Yemeni government to discuss unauthorized Iranian flights to Sana'a International Airport.
Al-Saadi revealed that the Yemeni government possesses "documented information" indicating that the flight was not purely civilian in nature, but was linked to the transport of personnel, expertise, and equipment of a military or dual-use nature. He stressed that the government reserves the right to submit its information and evidence to the UN Security Council Sanctions Committee and the Panel of Experts on Yemen for appropriate action.

He said the Yemeni government requested the emergency meeting not merely to discuss "an unauthorized flight," but because the incident represents "an extremely dangerous precedent" and a test of the Security Council's ability to uphold the rules of the international order, respect state sovereignty, and enforce its own resolutions.

Al-Saadi asserted that the direct flight operated by Iran's Mahan Air to Sana'a Airport constitutes a violation of the sovereignty of the Republic of Yemen and a direct challenge to relevant Security Council resolutions, noting that the flight was conducted without prior authorization or coordination with the competent Yemeni authorities.

He added that the seriousness of the incident lies not only in the details of the flight itself, but in the attempt to impose a new reality that bypasses Yemen's state institutions and tests the international community's resolve to enforce Security Council resolutions. He warned that using Sana'a Airport to receive unauthorized flights could encourage other armed groups to exploit civilian facilities outside the control of legitimate governments.

Al-Saadi emphasized that the Yemeni government has never treated Sana'a Airport as a political bargaining tool, but rather as a civilian facility that should remain in the service of all Yemenis. He noted that the government has consistently sought to maintain civilian air services through the country's national carrier whenever the necessary safety and operational guarantees are in place.

He further stated that the Houthi militia, with Iranian backing, proceeded to operate a second unauthorized flight despite warnings issued by the Yemeni government and growing international attention to the issue. He said the government had taken the necessary defensive measures to protect its airspace but deliberately chose not to escalate the situation in order to safeguard civilians and prevent Yemen from being drawn into a wider regional conflict.

Al-Saadi reaffirmed that the Yemeni government remains committed to peace and has engaged in good faith in all UN-led efforts and regional initiatives. However, he said the Houthis had reneged on their commitments, escalated militarily, and obstructed confidence-building measures, including a prisoner exchange agreement.

He called on the Security Council to condemn the unauthorized Iranian flights to Sana'a Airport, demand that Iran cease operating flights to Yemeni airports without the approval of the internationally recognized government, and instruct the Sanctions Committee and the Panel of Experts to investigate whether the flights involved the transfer of personnel, equipment, or technology in violation of Security Council resolutions. He also urged stronger measures to prevent the smuggling of weapons, military experts, and related equipment to the Houthi militia.

Concluding his remarks, Ambassador Abdullah Al-Saadi stressed that the Security Council's response to the issue is not only about defending Yemen's sovereignty, but also about safeguarding a fundamental principle of the international order: respect for state sovereignty, enforcement of Security Council resolutions, and preventing the imposition of new realities outside the framework of international legitimacy.