Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic efforts to anchor the stability of Yemen have gained further momentum with Jordan’s announcement of regular commercial flights between Amman and Sanaa.
The Jordanian initiative directly aligns with Riyadh’s long-standing commitment to championing Yemen‘s security, institutional sovereignty, and peace. By supporting this air corridor, the Kingdom continues to prioritize alleviating the humanitarian suffering of the Yemeni people, standing firm against the regional escalations and destabilizing pressures that threaten a lasting political settlement.
Amman-Sanaa Flights Resumption
Driving The News: Jordan’s Foreign Ministry announced on July 17, 2026 that the Royal Jordanian Airlines will launch regular commercial flights between Amman and Sanaa. It added that the necessary technical and logistical work is underway to begin the scheduled flights.
The Context: In a statement, the Jordanian Ministry said that the initiative comes in response to the humanitarian needs of the Yemeni people and in support of Saudi Arabia‘s efforts to advance the peace process in Yemen.
What They’re Saying: The President of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), Rashad Al-Alimi, praised Jordan’s initiative, reaffirming the Yemeni government’s full commitment to providing all necessary facilities to ensure the success of this initiative, reported Yemen’s official news agency.
The government also emphasized that this initiative aligns with previous initiatives put forward by the Yemeni state to operate Sanaa Airport legally and safely via the national carrier, Yemenia Airways, to any agreed-upon destination.
Saudi Support for Stability
Why It Matters: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry welcomed Jordan’s announcement as a step towards “meeting the humanitarian needs of the brotherly Yemeni people and facilitating the movement of civilians.”
In its statement, the Saudi Foreign Ministry also commended the Yemeni government’s approval of the initiative as a “positive step” that underscores its commitment to facilitating measures that benefit Yemeni citizens and support efforts to alleviate humanitarian suffering.
Moreover, Riyadh reiterated its support for all initiatives that contribute to achieving Yemen’s security and stability, while preserving its sovereignty and meeting its people’s aspirations.
A Call for De-escalation
Saudi Arabia called on the Houthis to “engage positively” with Jordan’s initiative instead of “repeating their previous decisions” which have exacerbated the suffering of the Yemeni people.
The Kingdom also urged the militia to “cease any escalatory practices or measures that would subject Yemen and its brotherly people to further suffering.”
State of Play: The Yemeni government accused the Iranian-backed Houthi militia of obstructing all initiatives to operate the national carrier, Yemenia Airways. It emphasized that the militia now must cease this destructive path, release the company’s withheld funds and assets, ensure the safety of its crews, and enable it to fulfill its duty in transporting all Yemenis.
The government also warned the Houthis against squandering this opportunity, urging them to stop thrusting the Yemeni people into reckless adventures that only serve the Iranian project, and to instead engage in responsible steps that enhance the chances of peace and place the citizens’ interests above all else.
Backstory: On July 13, the Yemeni Defense Ministry announced that its Armed Forces targeted the runway at Sanaa Airport to prevent an unauthorized Iranian aircraft from landing. UN Security Council members voiced deep concerns over Iranian unauthorized flights to and from Yemen amid reports that the flights may have transported military personnel, technical experts and equipment to support Houthi military capabilities.
The Houthis alleged that Saudi Arabia was behind the strike, declaring an end to their “de-escalation phase” with the Kingdom and launching ballistic missiles towards its southern regions, all of which were successfully intercepted by Saudi air defenses.
Riyadh’s Peace Strategy
In line with its long-standing commitment to regional stability and peace, Saudi Arabia has championed strong, internationally recognized state institutions in Yemen, prioritizing the humanitarian wellbeing of the Yemeni people.
The Big Picture: The Saudi-led Arab Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen supports the internationally recognized government in Yemen, trying to restore legitimacy to the country after the Iranian-backed Houthis seized the capital Sanaa in 2014.
Earlier in July, the Coalition reiterated its commitment to cooperating with international partners to undertake initiatives and efforts to alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people caused by the coup carried out by the Houthi Militia.
This included an attempt to resolve the Yemeni crisis “through a roadmap, which the legitimate Yemeni Government approved, while the Houthis rejected; as they went beyond by rejecting efforts for lasting peace and attacked Sea Lines of Communication and international trade in the Southern Red Sea and Bab Al-Mandab Strait,” the Coalition said in a statement.
The Anchor: Riyadh has been a steadfast supporter of Yemen’s stability, economic recovery, and development. These efforts are spearheaded by the Saudi Program for Development and Reconstruction of Yemen (SDRPY), which has implemented 268 projects and initiatives across more than 14 Yemeni governorates valued at $1.14 billion, alongside the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), which has executed over 1,210 humanitarian projects with investments exceeding $4.7 billion.
