Yemenis take historic direct flight to Saudi Arabia after 5 years.
More than 270 Yemeni Muslims embarked on the annual Islamic pilgrimage of Hajj in Mecca via the first direct flight between Yemen and Saudi Arabia in nearly seven years, signalling easing tensions between the two countries. The flight is one of five that will carry pilgrims from Sanaa's international airport. The Saudi-led military coalition had closed off Sanaa's airport in August 2016 as part of an air and sea blockade on Houthi-held areas in Yemen. Peace talks between the Saudi delegation and the Houthi group concluded in mid-April in Sanaa.