Yemen’s internationally recognized government accused Houthi fighters on Wednesday of launching ballistic missiles and drones at Aden’s international airport, targeting both the runway and passenger terminal. Simultaneously, Saudi Arabia reported that its defenses intercepted another missile north of Riyadh.
The Ministry of Transport stated that at least two ballistic missiles and multiple drones were fired at the facility. One missile landed near the runway moments before a scheduled Yemeni flight from Cairo was due to arrive. Authorities diverted the aircraft to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia to ensure passenger safety, evacuated the terminal, and moved two planes off the tarmac during the assault.
The ministry warned that the attack narrowly avoided a catastrophic humanitarian incident that could have resulted in numerous civilian casualties. Aden airport serves as the primary international gateway for areas outside Houthi control since the group seized the capital, Sanaa, in 2014.
In response, the Houthis claimed they were targeting “Saudi military supplies” arriving at the Badr camp near the airport, noting that Saudi Arabia backs Yemen’s government forces. A Saudi-led coalition spokesperson, Major-General Turki al-Maliki, confirmed the interception and destruction of the missile. He revealed that intelligence systems over Sanaa were tracking the launch platform, promising its destruction.
The intensifying violence occurs against a backdrop of rising regional tensions linked to the US-Israel conflict with Iran. Saudi-backed government troops have launched a counteroffensive aimed at recapturing the Red Sea port of Mocha and territories surrounding the Bab al-Mandeb strait, with heavy fighting concentrated in the southwestern province of Taiz.
Al Jazeera reporter Yousef Mawry, reporting from Sanaa, described “all-out battles” for control of the ground, highlands, and mountains east of Bab al-Mandeb. He emphasized that strategic control of western Taiz is critical for military dominance in the region.
Meanwhile, Pakistan and Turkiye agreed on Monday to activate “deterrence measures” under their mutual defense pact with Saudi Arabia and to rapidly deploy forces to the Gulf kingdom to counter Houthi attacks.
Why is Aden airport still a target? This conflict has dragged on far too long.
The Cairo flight diversion is chilling. They dodged a direct hit by mere minutes.