Saudi-led alliance prevents Russian plane from taking off from Yemen

The Saudi-led coalition yesterday prevented a Russian plane leaving Sanaa International Airport after it arrived without going through the coalition’s inspections process in Djibouti, a pro-Houthi TV channel reported.

The Al-Masirah TV quoted an unnamed Russian diplomat as saying that there is no justification for preventing the flight from taking off.

Yemen’s Saba news agency reported Sanaa airport director, Khalid Shayef, as saying that the plane is the first to arrive in Sanaa directly from Russia, carrying 20 tonnes of humanitarian aid and diplomatic staff.

A team from the Saudi-led coalition inspect all planes bound for Yemen fearing the transfer of weapons or military experts to support rebel groups.

The coalition imposed a ban on travel by sea and air to Yemen in March in accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolution 2216.