The rebels, apparently emboldened by the fallout of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, sought to gain political and economic concessions from Saudi Arabia, and insisted on lifting the Saudi blockade on territories they control in Yemen. The Houthis proceeded with the flight operated by Iranian-privately owned, U.S.-sanctioned Mahan Air, forcing the Saudi-led strike that disabled the Sanaa airport. Following the Sanaa airport strike, the Houthis attacked the Abha airport in southwestern Saudi Arabia and announced a blockade on Saudi shipping in the Red Sea. It has also reinforced Yemeni troops along the front lines in Yemen to launch a ground offensive on Houthis, the Yemeni officials said. They sought to turn the blame on Saudi Arabia for its air and naval blockade on their territories and framed the escalation as an extension of the Yemen war, rather than a new front in the Iran war, he said.