The Iranian-backed Houthi rebels of Yemen have threatened retaliation against Saudi Arabian airports and key assets, following an alleged intrusion into their airspace by Saudi military aircraft. On Friday, the Houthis claimed they intercepted Saudi warplanes that were attempting to prevent an Iranian civilian airliner from landing at Sanaa International Airport. The Houthi spokesman, Yahya Saree, warned of a comprehensive response if such actions recur, targeting Saudi airports and vital interests on land and sea. Saree asserted that the Houthis had thwarted an attempt by Saudi warplanes to infiltrate their controlled airspace at 5:20 am GMT, intending to obstruct the landing of an Iranian aircraft carrying over 200 stranded, wounded, and sick passengers. Saree also confirmed that flights between Sanaa and Tehran will continue despite any potential consequences. The Houthi media reported the aircraft's successful landing in Sanaa and its subsequent return to Tehran with a Houthi delegation returning from the funeral of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in United States-Israeli strikes. The Houthis have stated their readiness for "any options" and their intention to break the Saudi-American siege without providing further details. These threats come several months after a significant prisoner exchange between the Saudi-backed government and the Houthis, which included seven Saudis. The Houthis have been embroiled in conflict with Yemen's government since 2015, resulting in a humanitarian crisis that has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. The rebels control Sanaa and much of the north, including most population centers, while the internationally recognized government holds much of the south. Despite ongoing fighting, a UN-negotiated truce in 2022 largely froze hostilities between them.