A delegation from the Houthi group, internationally designated as a terrorist organization, departed Sana'a International Airport on Thursday, June 6, 2024, to perform the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, according to Houthi-affiliated media outlets.

The delegation, led by Yahya al-Razami, a member of the Houthi negotiating team and head of its military committee, includes Hussein Maqbuli, deputy prime minister in the internationally unrecognized Houthi government, and "several political, military, and tribal figures," according to Houthi media.

This marks the second time that military and political leaders from the Houthi group have traveled to perform Hajj since the group seized the Yemeni capital Sana'a in September 2014 and overthrew the Yemeni government.

The Houthi delegation's departure comes as international and regional efforts to push the Yemeni parties towards a ceasefire agreement to end the decade-long war in Yemen reach a critical point.

The departure also comes at a time when the Houthi group continues to target commercial ships in the Red Sea with missiles and drones, a practice that began in November 2023.

On Monday, June 3, 2024, Mohammed Shabibeh, Minister of Awqaf and Guidance in the internationally recognized Yemeni government, announced the arrival of 20,000 Yemeni pilgrims in the holy lands to perform the Hajj pilgrimage this year (1445 AH), through air and land crossings.

The first batch of Yemeni pilgrims departed from Aden International Airport on May 27, followed by flights from Sana'a, Riyan in Hadhramaut, and later from Al-Ghaydah Airport in Mahra Governorate. The first group crossed into the holy lands through the Wadi'a land crossing the day before.

The total number of Yemeni pilgrims this year is estimated at 24,255, according to the Ministry of Awqaf and Guidance, which previously announced signing an agreement with Yemenia Airways to transport approximately 12,400 pilgrims by air to the holy lands.