Sana'a: The Ministry of Transport and Public Works, alongside the General Authority for Civil Aviation and Meteorology, held a vigil and press conference at Sana'a International Airport to mark the tenth anniversary of the airport's closure. This closure was enforced by a unilateral decision from the Saudi Ministry of Defense on August 8, 2016.
According to Yemen News Agency, the event was attended by various officials, including Arif Muslih, the Acting Head of the Civil Aviation and Meteorology Authority, and Ali Taisir, the Head of the National Human Rights Commission. Taisir condemned the continued closure as an act of international aggression and a war crime, emphasizing the Yemeni leadership's resolve to respond decisively to protect national sovereignty.
Taisir highlighted the severe humanitarian impact of transforming Sana'a Airport from a critical humanitarian hub into a blockade, citing it as a violation of Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949. He criticized the international community, particularly the UN Security Council, for their inaction over the past decade, which has led to a humanitarian crisis affecting around 40 million people.
Khaled Al-Shayef, Director of Sana'a International Airport, provided statistics on the human and economic toll of the airport's closure. He stated that approximately 24 million travelers and 1.5 million patients were deprived of essential movement and treatment, resulting in indirect economic losses exceeding six billion dollars.
Dr. Anis Al-Asbahi from the Ministry of Health and Environment described the closure as a war crime that led to a collapse in the health sector and the deaths of tens of thousands of patients. He detailed the tragic health repercussions, including the deprivation of over 200,000 patients from seeking treatment abroad.
Ismail Al-Ma'bari from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized international support for the coalition and called for a peace that respects Yemeni sovereignty. A statement from the Ministry of Transport and Public Works and the General Authority for Civil Aviation condemned the ongoing ban, calling for the immediate lifting of restrictions on Yemeni airspace.
The statement urged international organizations to condemn the ban and hold Saudi Arabia accountable for the resulting humanitarian and economic damages. The Ministry and the Authority reaffirmed their commitment to ending the siege and alleviating the suffering of the Yemeni people.