Saudi Arabia struck the runway of Yemen's Houthi-controlled Sanaa International Airport to prevent an Iranian civilian plane carrying a Houthi delegation from landing, AP reported on July 13. A Houthi official warned that "this aggression will not go unanswered or unpunished."

Tensions have been building for several weeks, particularly since July 9, when Yemen warned Iran and the Houthis against using direct Tehran-Sanaa flights to transfer military personnel. The Houthis have also been escalating their attacks against Saudi-backed Yemeni government positions across contested areas. Saudi Arabia has enforced an air blockade against the Houthis for a decade.