Saudi Arabia has moved to activate regional and international mediation channels with Yemen following raids on Sana’a International Airport and Yemeni retaliatory strikes, Al-Akhbar Lebanese daily reported on Wednesday.
Sana’a authorities renewed warnings to civilian airlines over flying through Saudi airspace, signaling a potential expansion of attacks unless restrictions on Sana’a International Airport are lifted. Officials affirmed their intent to close the Kingdom’s airports if the Saudi blockade continues, demanding the full resumption of commercial flights “without obstruction,” Al-Akhbar’s Rashid Haddad wrote.
In response, Riyadh has turned to mediation efforts led by Oman and Qatar to contain the escalation. Informed political sources told Al-Akhbar that Saudi Arabia conveyed to mediators it was not responsible for the recent strike on Sana’a airport, attributing it instead to the Aden government aligned with the Kingdom in Yemen.
Yemeni media reports multiple Saudi airstrikes hit Sanaa International Airport
— Al-Manar English (@manarenglish) July 13, 2026
Video provided by Al-Manar correspondent in Yemen's Sanaa pic.twitter.com/vkZl0ZJqIM
However, a Yemeni military source rejected that account, stating: “Sana’a forces have identified the type of missiles used in the Monday attack … The aircraft that carried out the strike on Sana’a International Airport was Saudi, and the missiles used were British-made Storm Shadow tactical missiles… exclusively possessed by Saudi forces.”
Escalation Threats
With Abha International Airport still closed following recent strikes, Ansarullah revolutionary group’s military media published a new “target map” covering all Saudi airports, underscoring what observers see as a readiness to expand operations despite diplomatic efforts.
Ansar Allah has released a video listing potential targets in Saudi Arabia.
— SilencedSirs◼️ (@SilentlySirs) July 13, 2026
The list includes major ports and airports across Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam, Jizan, and Ras Tanura. pic.twitter.com/unS1ELP9d1
Amid fears of further escalation, Saudi Arabia has pushed UN envoy Hans Grundberg to intensify efforts. Grundberg met with Sana’a’s chief negotiator, Head of the Yemeni National Delegation Mohammad Abdul Salam and Omani officials, focusing on de-escalation and preserving the fragile calm in place since the April 2022 truce, according to Al-Akhbar report
While details of the UN proposal remain unclear, discussions are believed to include humanitarian measures such as salary payments, reopening roads, lifting air restrictions, and prisoner exchanges.
Sources in Sana’a, however, stressed that pressure on the ground remains key. “Military operations against the Kingdom are the only guarantee for the implementation of any agreement,” one source told the Lebanese daily, suggesting Saudi calls for mediation aim to avoid further strikes and delay resolving contentious issues.
Source: Al-Akhbar newspaper (translated and edited y Al-Manar)