Yemeni Houthi rebels attacked Aden International Airport and claimed to have targeted multiple airports in Saudi Arabia early Wednesday, intensifying the ongoing conflict in the region.
The Yemeni Ministry of Transport reported that ballistic missiles and explosive-laden drones struck near Aden International Airport, Yemen’s main international gateway outside Houthi control. A missile reportedly landed close to the runway just minutes before a flight from Cairo was set to land, forcing the aircraft to divert to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Authorities moved two planes on the runway away from the area amid fears of further attacks.
Claims of Additional Attacks in Saudi Arabia
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree stated that the group also launched attacks against King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and Abha International Airport as well as an air base in Khamis Mushait using drones and ballistic missiles. However, there was no immediate confirmation from Saudi authorities regarding these attacks. The Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted and destroyed another Houthi ballistic missile north of Riyadh, tracking the launch back to a site in Houthi-controlled Sanaa.
Intense Fighting Along the Red Sea Coast
The attacks occurred alongside intensified fighting in Yemen, where Saudi-backed government forces have been conducting a counteroffensive to reclaim territory along the Red Sea coast after recent Houthi gains. The government offensive, supported by Saudi-led coalition airstrikes, successfully pushed Houthis out of strategic locations including areas around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the city of Mocha.
Humanitarian Impact
The conflict has displaced more than 200,000 people since fighting escalated recently, according to the International Organization for Migration. The latest figures show significant increases in displacement since mid-September, marking the most severe escalation since a UN-brokered truce significantly reduced cross-border attacks last year.
