Iran’s mystery flight to Yemen: What do we know about the planes landing in Sana'a? – explainer

An Iranian Mahan Air flight, reportedly carrying military and security personnel, drone and missile experts, and electronic equipment, landed in Houthi-controlled Hodeidah International Airport after an attempted landing at Sana'a International Airport on Monday. This follows a similar flight in early July that transported Houthi representatives to Tehran. Yemen's Saudi-backed government and international representatives at the UN Security Council condemned these flights, with Dr. Rashad Muhammad al-Alimi, chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council of Yemen, stating that the aircraft turned off its tracking system over Yemeni airspace, contradicting Houthi claims of a humanitarian mission. He emphasized, “Frequent interruptions in the aircraft's tracking signals were detected while it was crossing Yemeni airspace, a behavior that contradicts the militias' claims that it was a humanitarian flight.” The UN special envoy called for de-escalation, while Yemen's Ambassador Abdullah Ali Fadhel Al-Saad warned that the unauthorized flights constitute an “extremely dangerous precedent.” The Houthis, facing domestic financial issues, have threatened to escalate the conflict beyond Yemen's territory, including against airlines flying over Saudi airspace.