On 3 October 2022, a UN-mediated ceasefire between the Saudi-led coalition (SLC) – as well as its aligned forces in Yemen – and the Houthis ended. The UN envoy to Yemen has said that negotiations remain ongoing to revive the ceasefire; however, an agreement has not been reached to date.
The initial ceasefire ran from 2 April to 2 October and the SLC has not conducted strikes in Yemen against the Houthis since. The ceasefire led to a notable decrease in violence in Yemen, and while armed clashes had been reported between the Houthis and Yemeni government forces, the rebels refrained from launching attacks into Saudi Arabia or the Gulf states. However, violence in Yemen notably increased during October-November as armed clashes between the Houthi rebels and Yemeni forces aligned with the SLC have flared in several provinces.
This report provides a data-led overview of the threat to air operations to/from and over Yemen, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Region as well as a comprehensive summary of how the airspace environment in these areas has evolved and our recommendations for your operations.
For further reading, check out our other resources:
Understanding the Threat: Airspace Safety & Security over Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia: What are the effects of the current military conflict with Yemeni Houthi rebels?
Osprey assessment of Houthi capability & intent to target the UAE
