Yemen's Houthi rebels launched a ballistic missile and drone attack on Aden's International Airport on Wednesday, according to the country's transport ministry. The attack occurred as fighting between the Iran-aligned Houthis and Saudi-backed government forces intensified. The missile struck near the runway, prompting authorities to cancel a landing and divert a flight from Cairo to Jeddah. Two planes on the runway were moved to a safe location due to fears of further strikes.
The fighting in Yemen is a spillover from the wider US-Iran conflict and has revived a complex 12-year war in the country. The conflict has led to one of the worst humanitarian crises globally and fragmented the Arab world's most impoverished country. The Houthis have repeatedly targeted infrastructure, including airports, oil refineries, and pipelines in Saudi Arabia, a US ally. In response, the Saudi-led coalition has launched a counter-offensive to recapture strategic territory near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and around the town of Mocha.
The Bab el-Mandeb Strait has become a crucial shipping route for energy exports since the conflict between the US and Iran restricted trade through the Strait of Hormuz. The strait is a strategic location, and control of it would allow for easier advancement up the rest of the coast. Yemeni government forces, with Saudi-led coalition air support, have launched a counter-offensive to recapture the area. However, it is unclear if their advance will hold, and fierce clashes have taken place, with the Houthis claiming they have repelled attacks.
On Monday, the Yemeni government claimed to have reached Mocha, but the claim was premature, according to Yemeni military officials and analysts. Hussam Radman, a researcher at the Sanaa Centre, said pro-government forces, including the Giants Brigade, are trying to take control of Dhubab and advance in the mountains to its east. Control of those highlands would allow government forces to more easily advance up the rest of the coast.
The Houthis have also targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh with several drones, according to Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree. However, there was no immediate Saudi confirmation of an attack on the airport. The Saudi-led coalition said it had intercepted and destroyed a Houthi ballistic missile north of the Saudi capital, Riyadh, and was tracking the launch platform over Houthi-controlled Sanaa.
The conflict in Yemen has been ongoing for 12 years, and a UN-brokered truce in 2022 largely halted heavy fighting. However, it did not lead to a lasting settlement. The Saudi-led coalition accuses Iran of arming, training, and funding the Houthis, while the group denies being part of Iran's Middle East proxy network. Tehran also rejects the allegations.
The situation in Yemen remains volatile, with ongoing fighting and attacks on infrastructure. The international community is watching closely, as the conflict has significant implications for the region. The Houthis' attacks on airports and other infrastructure have caused significant disruptions, and the humanitarian crisis in the country continues to worsen.
Key points
- The Houthis' attack on Aden's International Airport was part of a larger escalation of fighting in Yemen.
- The conflict in Yemen has significant implications for the region, including the impact on energy exports and humanitarian crises.
- The Saudi-led coalition and the Houthis have accused each other of aggression and support from external actors.
