(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — Many parties in the Middle East have accused Saudi Arabia of “opening” its airspace to Israeli fighter jets, enabling them to carry out airstrikes on Yemen yesterday.
According to these sources, Israeli fighter jets could only fly the thousands of kilometers from Israel to Yemen with Saudi Arabia’s permission to use its airspace.
In addition to Saudi Arabia, Jordan has also been accused of allowing Israeli fighter jets to use its airspace.
Both Middle Eastern countries are staunch allies of the United States.
There is a widespread belief among Middle Eastern residents that the Israeli fighter jet attack on the oil storage facilities in Hodeidah Port, Yemen, was coordinated by the United States, Britain, and Saudi Arabia.
The Israeli airstrike on Hodeidah Port has caused a major fire, which continues to burn, resulting in the death of approximately 10 local residents.
In response, the Houthi armed group has launched several ballistic missiles at Israel, retaliating against the airstrike on Hodeidah Port.
Saudi Arabia has vehemently denied the allegations that it allowed Israeli fighter jets to use its airspace for the attack on Yemen, stating that it played no role in yesterday’s assault.
“Saudi Arabia has no connection or role in the attack on Hodeidah, and the government in Riyadh will not allow any entity to breach its airspace,” said Brigadier General Turki Al-Malki, a spokesperson for the Saudi Ministry of Defense, in a statement on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter).
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed concern over any actions that could exacerbate the military situation in Yemen.
In a statement issued through the Saudi Press Agency, the ministry stated that the Israeli airstrike only worsens the region’s tensions and hinders efforts to halt the war in the Gaza Strip.
Israel launched the airstrike on Hodeidah Port in response to a suicide drone attack by the Houthi armed group on Israel’s capital, Tel Aviv, which killed one person and injured ten others.
The Houthi drone exploded near the U.S. Embassy building, though it is unclear if the embassy was the target.
Houthi armed group spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed the successful suicide drone attack was carried out using a new drone capable of evading enemy defenses.
“We will continue to target enemy positions in response to their killings of our brothers in Gaza. Our operations will end only when the atrocities and siege against Palestinians in Gaza cease,” he said.
The suicide drone used by the Houthis in the attack on Tel Aviv, called the “Sammad-3,” has been upgraded in range to reach Israel’s capital. The Houthis refer to the undetected suicide drone as “Yafa.”
The “Sammad-3” suicide drone has previously been used by the Houthis against Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and the Israeli port city of Eilat, located on the Red Sea near Jordan.
The “Sammad-3” drone, developed using Iranian technology, has a wingspan of 4.5 meters and can fly distances between 1,500 km to 2,500 km. — DSA