News - Yemen: Dr. Taha Al-Mutawakel, the Minister of Health, has accused the US-Saudi aggression of obstructing foreign medical delegations from reaching Sana'a.

He stated, "The US-Saudi aggression refuses to grant entry permits to an Italian and Indian medical delegation, which comprises 50 consultants in various medical specialties."

Dr. Al-Mutawakel highlighted that the closure of Sana'a Airport creates significant challenges for patients who had arranged to receive medical care abroad.

Raed Jabal, the Undersecretary of Civil Aviation and Meteorology, regarded the closure of Sana'a Airport and manipulation of flight operations as part of the siege tactics employed by the US-Saudi aggression under various pretexts. This time, it is being done under the pretext of Yemenia Airlines.

He pointed out that Yemenia Airlines operates from Sana'a Airport without any hindrances, and there are no restrictions on its accounts or any measures that warrant the suspension of flights.

The Yemenia airline company has suspended flights to and from Sana'a International Airport due to pressure from US-Saudi aggression, which is seen as an attempt to disrupt the ongoing Omani-mediated peace process.

Reuters has reported that Yemenia Airways will cease its flights between Sana'a and Jordan, beginning on October 1st.

On 9 August 2016, the Saudi-led coalition imposed restrictions on Yemen’s airspace resulting in the closure of Sana’a Airport to commercial flights, trapping millions of Yemenis in a war zone and preventing the free movement of humanitarian and commercial goods from entering through this route. As a result, thousands of Yemenis with long-term health conditions such as cancer, kidney, liver and blood conditions have died while waiting for treatment unavailable in Yemen.

The closure of the airport has also led to an almost complete halt to commercial cargo such as medicine, medical supplies and equipment coming into the country. Coupled with restrictions on Hodeidah port, this has caused prices of some medicine to double, making it unaffordable for most of the population and further contributing to the decline of Yemen’s health system, already decimated by the aggression.

With the beginning of the truce last year, the aggression tried to evade its commitment to open Sana'a airport and make flights only to one destination, Jordan, and for a very limited number.

Sana'a confirmed more than once that the continued closure of Sana'a airport proves the lack of seriousness of theUS-Saudi aggression to bring peace to Yemen.