[12/07/2026 05:58]
ADEN-SABA
Information Minister Muammar al-Eryani said Iran's efforts to establish a direct air route with the Houthi terrorist militia should not be viewed as merely another method of smuggling, but rather as a shift toward a more advanced and dangerous mechanism for providing support to the group.
In a press statement to Saba, al-Eryani said the proposed air bridge would give Tehran a more efficient and reliable channel to deliver assistance to the militia, particularly after tighter restrictions have limited the maritime smuggling routes Iran has relied on for years to transfer weapons, military experts, and other forms of support to Yemen.
He explained that air supply lines differ significantly from traditional smuggling networks, as they reduce delivery times from weeks or days to only a matter of hours and provide greater flexibility in moving sensitive materials. Such a route, he said, could facilitate the rapid transfer of specialized equipment, technical components, military technologies, and IRGC personnel, allowing the Houthis to restore and enhance their military capabilities within shorter timeframes.
The minister warned that the greatest danger lies in the potential use of such a route to secretly move Iranian military and intelligence figures, security personnel, wanted individuals, and specialists in areas including missile systems, drones, and electronic warfare. He said the lack of effective state oversight over such operations could turn Sana'a International Airport into a forward logistical platform serving Iran's expansionist objectives in the region.
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