Yemenia has faced yet another hurdle as the Yemeni government accuses Houthi rebels of seizing four of the national airline’s planes at Sanaa International Airport. The rebels allegedly captured three aircraft on Tuesday, with one being held for over a month. These planes were vital for transporting pilgrims between Sanaa and Saudi Arabia, causing over 1,300 Yemeni pilgrims to be stranded in Saudi Arabia.
In addition to seizing the planes, the Houthis have frozen over $100 million of Yemenia’s assets since last year. The internationally recognised government of Yemen is now seeking international assistance to retrieve the aircraft and assets, as well as to ensure the airline’s continued operations.
This incident is just one of many where state institutions have been affected by the ongoing conflict between the Houthis and the Yemeni government. Despite these challenges, Yemenia recently resumed commercial flights from Sanaa airport after a brief suspension due to financial disputes with the rebels.
As tensions persist, the future of Yemenia and its operations remain uncertain in the midst of a complex political landscape.