Barran Press
The Yemeni Ministries of Awqaf (Endowments) and Transport, in the internationally recognized government, have strongly condemned the politicization of the Yemeni Airways crisis, emphasizing that the national carrier is dedicated to serving all Yemeni travelers. This, they stressed, has been a consistent approach throughout the past period, evidenced by the government's facilitation of travel for Yemeni passengers and pilgrims to and from all Yemeni airports, a practice that remained in place until the recent crisis of aircraft seizure by the Houthis.
In a joint statement released by the official Yemeni news agency Saba, the ministries denounced what they termed "lies" spread by the Houthi group, internationally designated as a terrorist organization, regarding stranded Yemeni pilgrims in the holy lands. The statement accused the Houthis of orchestrating a "complete hijacking operation" of Yemeni Airways aircraft and their crews at Sana'a International Airport.
The statement expressed astonishment at the Houthis' attempts to evade responsibility for hindering the return of the remaining pilgrims, citing their continued hijacking of aircraft and crews, and their habitual use of lies and deception since their armed takeover of the legitimate government.
The ministries held the Houthi group fully accountable for the consequences of their aircraft hijacking, including full compensation for the repercussions of their "arbitrary" actions against the pilgrims and the national carrier, Yemeni Airways.
The statement emphasized the government's commitment to the return of the pilgrims to their families, highlighting the measures taken to mitigate the catastrophic impact of the Houthi crime. These measures included facilitating the situation of stranded pilgrims in the holy lands, arranging their return to Mecca, providing essential services such as transportation, accommodation, and sustenance at the state's expense, and facilitating the return of those wishing to return to Yemen by land via the latest transportation means or through Yemeni Airways flights to Aden Airport.
The statement pointed out that the Houthis, in an attempt to obfuscate the situation, politicize the holy pilgrimage, and obstruct the pilgrims' journey, had seized the value of the pilgrims' travel tickets, preventing their transfer to Yemeni Airways accounts in the temporary capital, Aden, in an effort to impede the travel of Yemeni pilgrims in areas under their control according to established travel regulations.
The statement highlighted the government's commitment to overcoming obstacles and providing all necessary facilities for the transportation of the guests of God, enabling them to perform their rituals flawlessly in coordination with their counterparts in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Regarding the electronic registration process for pilgrims, the Ministries of Awqaf and Guidance, and Transport, expressed surprise at the request of a "terrorist organization and armed insurgent militia" to be handed over the electronic registration process for pilgrims, which is the exclusive domain of recognized countries and governments.
On Wednesday, the Ministries of Transport and Awqaf in the Houthi government in Sana'a (not recognized internationally) held a meeting in which they affirmed their refusal to relocate the headquarters of Yemeni Airways to Aden, blaming Saudi Arabia for the "detention of stranded pilgrims in Mecca."
On June 26, 2024, Yemeni Airways apologized to the pilgrims for its inability to transport them to the Yemeni capital, Sana'a, due to the Houthis' detention of four of its aircraft.
In a statement regarding the aircraft seizure, seen by "Barran Press," the company confirmed that the Houthi group, internationally listed as a terrorist organization, had seized "four of Yemeni Airways' aircraft at Sana'a International Airport." This was considered a threat to the safety of air navigation in the country, exacerbating the difficulty of operating flights to and from within the country.
Subsequently, on June 28, the Presidential Leadership Council formed a government committee headed by Prime Minister Ahmed bin Mubarak to manage the crisis of the Houthis' detention of Yemeni Airways aircraft, which were transporting pilgrims to Sana'a International Airport.
According to the official Saba agency, the government committee's mission includes "restricting the group's use of the hijacked aircraft until further notice, including the release of the aircraft detained for two months, and lifting the ban on the company's frozen assets, exceeding $100 million."
The Presidential Leadership Council considered the Houthis' hijacking of Yemeni Airways aircraft, which are financially and administratively independent, a "complete terrorist operation, adding to their serious violations against national and foreign air and maritime carriers over the past years," according to the agency.
The Council held the Houthi group fully responsible for the repercussions of this "dangerous" escalation, which it said would "further deepen the suffering of citizens, impact the operation of the national carrier, and inflict heavy losses."