Yemen's Houthi rebels launched a ballistic missile and drone attack on Aden's international airport, the country's Transport Ministry reported. The attack occurred as fighting between the Iran-aligned Houthis and Saudi-backed government forces escalated. The conflict has focused on areas around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a crucial shipping route for energy exports.
The Bab el-Mandeb Strait has become increasingly important for energy exports since the conflict between the US and Iran restricted trade through the Strait of Hormuz. Yemeni government forces, supported by the Saudi-led coalition, have launched a counter-offensive to recapture strategic territory near the strait and the town of Mocha, which the Houthis captured in September.
The conflict has resulted in a significant humanitarian crisis, with over 200,000 people displaced since the latest round of fighting began, according to the International Organization for Migration. IOM Director General Amy Pope called for increased funding to address the rising needs for food and shelter, stating that people are "running for their lives and finding nowhere safe to go."
Both sides have reported hundreds of deaths in the fighting, although details are scarce. The UN has warned that three in four families in parts of Yemen are struggling with hunger. The Houthis have repeatedly targeted infrastructure, including airports, oil refineries, and pipelines, in Saudi Arabia, a US ally.
On Wednesday, the Saudi-led coalition reported that it had intercepted and destroyed a Houthi ballistic missile north of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. The coalition also stated that it was tracking the launch platform over Houthi-controlled Sanaa and would destroy it. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed that the group had targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh with several drones.
The conflict has also seen fighting on the western front, concentrated in the Dhubab district overlooking Bab el-Mandeb, with pro-government forces attempting to advance in the strategic hills to the east of that coastal plain. Yemeni military and government sources reported fierce clashes, with the Houthis claiming they had repelled attacks.
The situation remains volatile, with concerns that a Houthi stranglehold on the Strait could threaten shipping or global oil flows. Saudi Arabia has sought international assistance to repel the Houthis, with Turkey pledging to provide mainly defensive and technical support. The conflict has revived a complex 12-year war in Yemen, leading to one of the worst humanitarian crises globally and fragmenting the Arab world's most impoverished country.
Key points
- Over 200,000 people displaced since the latest round of fighting began.
- The conflict has resulted in a significant humanitarian crisis, with three in four families struggling with hunger in parts of Yemen.
- The Houthis have repeatedly targeted infrastructure, including airports, oil refineries, and pipelines, in Saudi Arabia.
