Houthis strike Aden Airport as Yemen fighting intensifies
File photo: REUTERS
Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis launched a direct strike on Wednesday, using ballistic missiles and explosive-laden drones against Aden International Airport, according to an official announcement from Yemen's Transport Ministry.
The assault took place as intense clashes escalated across several combat fronts. At the same time, the Saudi-led coalition said its air defense systems intercepted and destroyed a Houthi ballistic missile positioned north of Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.
Transport Ministry officials added that a missile struck near the airport runway just minutes before an inbound flight from Cairo was scheduled to land. As a result, aviation authorities canceled the landing and diverted the aircraft to Jeddah.
Ground personnel also moved two aircraft parked on the tarmac away from the zone over concerns of follow-up attacks. While Aden International Airport functions as the key international gateway for areas of Yemen outside Houthi control, Houthi representatives offered no immediate comment regarding the airport attack.
Moreover, the Saudi-led coalition, which supports Yemen's internationally recognized government, reported that it was actively tracking the missile launch platform over Houthi-controlled Sanaa to destroy it, though coalition officials provided no specifics regarding casualties or damages.
Commenting on the military actions, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree stated that the group targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh using several drones. However, Saudi authorities did not issue any immediate confirmation regarding an attack on the Riyadh airport.
The strikes occurred as Saudi-backed government forces launched a major counteroffensive against Houthi fighters, who had secured territorial gains along the country's Red Sea coast in recent weeks.
Supported by Saudi-led coalition air power, Yemeni government troops initiated a rapid offensive this week to recapture the Red Sea coast surrounding the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the city of Mocha, driving Houthi forces out of territories captured last month.
Earlier on Wednesday, Saudi state television cited the Saudi-led coalition confirming that defense systems intercepted and destroyed a Houthi ballistic missile fired toward the southwestern Saudi city of Khamis Mushait.
In a separate statement, Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree asserted that the group struck Abha International Airport and an airbase in Khamis Mushait using both ballistic missiles and drones.
It remained unclear whether Saree's statement directly referred to the missile that the coalition reported intercepting near Khamis Mushait. Furthermore, Saudi authorities did not immediately confirm any attack targeting Abha International Airport.
Source: Reuters (adapted)
