SANAA (Dispatches) -- Yemeni forces shot down a Saudi Arabian Wing Loong II reconnaissance drone over Al-Bayda province, military spokesperson Yahya Saree said, as the conflict between the two sides escalated sharply following Saudi strikes on Sanaa International Airport.
The drone was “carrying out hostile missions” when it was intercepted with “appropriate weaponry” early on Tuesday, Saree said in a statement. He warned that Yemeni forces are “fully prepared to counter any violation of country’s airspace and sovereignty”.
The downing came a day after Saudi Arabia struck Sanaa airport in an attempt to prevent an Iranian aircraft from landing. Yemen condemned the strike as “blatant aggression” and declared that the four-year informal truce with Riyadh had effectively ended.
In retaliation, Yemeni forces launched ballistic missiles and drones at Saudi Arabia’s Abha International Airport, forcing the suspension of flights. Saree also warned airlines against using Saudi airspace until the blockade on Sanaa airport is lifted.
The escalation marks the most significant clash between Yemen and Saudi Arabia since the 2022 ceasefire took effect.  
Yemen’s Sanaa-based Foreign Ministry described the Saudi action as a “declaration of war”. The conflict in Yemen has been ongoing since 2014, when a Saudi-led coalition intervened in 2015 in support of a fugitive regime. The war has killed over 150,000 people and triggered one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.