Hundreds of thousands of Yemenis took to the streets across the governorates of Sana’a and Dhamar last night, launching massive public celebrations following a major retaliatory military operation against Saudi Arabia. The festive public demonstrations erupted immediately after the Yemeni Armed Forces announced a successful combined missile and drone strike targeting Abha International Airport in southwestern Saudi Arabia.
The military escalation began at precisely 1:54 PM on Monday, when Saudi warplanes launched a series of blatant airstrikes against Sanaa International Airport. In a televised statement, Yemeni Armed Forces spokesperson General Yahya Saree confirmed that Yemeni air defenses actively engaged the enemy warplanes to repel the “treacherous and cowardly” assault. Saree explained that the Saudi aggression specifically aimed to disable the capital’s airport and close it to humanitarian flights carrying critical patients and stranded individuals.
In direct response to the bombardment, the Yemeni Armed Forces executed a swift counter-operation, launching a salvo of ballistic missiles and specialized drones that successfully struck Abha International Airport, achieving all intended strategic objectives.
Following the successful strike, General Saree issued a stern warning to the international community, declaring that Saudi Arabia bears full responsibility for the grave consequences of its reckless actions. He explicitly warned all international commercial airlines against utilizing Saudi airspace, urging them to take the warning seriously until Saudi Arabia completely lifts its blockade on Sanaa International Airport. Furthermore, the military spokesperson extended sincere gratitude to the Islamic Republic of Iran for its ongoing assistance in facilitating humanitarian flights and helping Yemen break the restrictive siege.
The news of the successful counter-strike triggered an immediate wave of national pride. In Al-Sabeen Square and across major thoroughfares in Dhamar and Sana’a, massive crowds of citizens and tribal delegations filled the streets. Demonstrators waved national banners and chanted slogans backing the military leadership, transforming the night into a sweeping display of popular support for the armed forces.
Military leadership highly praised the public mobilization, noting that the great Yemeni people and their noble tribes have made an authentic, faith-based stance against foreign domination. The Armed Forces closed the declaration by reaffirming that the Yemeni people will never tolerate a continuation of the blockade, warning that their forces remain fully prepared to take all necessary steps to permanently deter external aggression.
