Islam Times - Sana’a airport reopens in Yemen after one-day shutdown

Islam Times - Yemeni officials say the airport in the capital Sana’a has reopened after a one-day shutdown due to threats by loyalists of a sacked general close to former dictator Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Aviation officials said on Sunday Sana’a International Airport reopened after reassurances were made by the Air Force that there would be no “threats to aviation.”

“We are now preparing for the first flight,” an official said.

On April 6, forces loyal to Saleh’s half-brother General Mohammed Saleh al-Ahmar surrounded the airport.

The move came after Air Force chief General Ahmar was sacked following a decree issued by Yemeni President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi on Friday.

General Tarek Mohamed Abdallah Saleh, head of the presidential guards and Saleh’s nephew, was also fired on Friday.

Ali Abdullah Saleh formally stepped down and handed power over to Hadi on February 27.

The new Yemeni president, who is a UK-trained field marshal, was sworn in on February 25 following a single-candidate presidential election on February 21, which was supported by the United States and Saudi Arabia.