Yemen condemns Houthi attack on Aden airport as threat to regional, international aviation

On Wednesday, the Yemeni Houthis launched ballistic missiles and explosive drones at Aden's international airport, according to the country's transport ministry. The escalating conflict between Iran-aligned Houthis and Saudi-backed government forces has intensified in recent days, with battles primarily centered around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a crucial shipping route for energy exports.

Earlier this week, Yemeni government forces, supported by Saudi-led coalition air strikes, attempted to reclaim strategic territory near the strait and the town of Mocha, captured by the Houthis in September. However, the progress of the offensive remains uncertain. This ongoing conflict is a continuation of the 12-year Yemeni war, which has resulted in one of the world's worst humanitarian crises and fragmentation of the Arab world's poorest country.

The Houthis have repeatedly targeted Saudi infrastructure with ballistic missiles and drones, including airports, oil refineries, and pipelines. On Wednesday, the Saudi-led coalition reported intercepting and destroying a Houthi missile north of Riyadh, though they did not disclose any casualties or damage. The Houthis claimed they targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh using drones; however, there has been no confirmation from Saudi authorities.

The fighting in the western front remains concentrated near Dhubab district, overlooking Bab el-Mandeb, where pro-government forces are attempting an advance in the strategic hills to the east. Control of these highlands would facilitate government forces' access to the rest of the coast. In Yemen's eastern coast, one missile landed near Aden International Airport's runway minutes before a flight from Cairo was scheduled to land.

Aden International Airport serves as the primary international gateway for Yemen outside Houthi control. The Houthis, who control the northern part of Yemen, seized the capital Sanaa in 2014, leading to the intervention of a Saudi-led coalition aiming to counter Iran's influence in Yemen and prevent regional instability. A UN-brokered truce in 2022 halted heavy fighting temporarily but did not yield a lasting resolution.

The Saudi-led coalition accuses Iran of supporting the Houthis financially, militarily, and politically, while the group denies these allegations and claims its own development of weapons.