Yemen’s Houthis struck Aden International Airport with ballistic missiles and explosive-laden drones on Wednesday, the country’s Transport Ministry said, as fighting between the Iran-aligned group and Saudi-backed government forces intensified around the Bab el-Mandeb strait. One missile landed near the runway minutes before a flight from Cairo was due to land. Authorities canceled the landing and diverted the aircraft to Jeddah, and moved two planes off the runway for fear of further strikes. There were no casualties reported.
The Saudi-led coalition said Wednesday it had intercepted and destroyed a Houthi ballistic missile north of the capital Riyadh, and separately one launched toward the southwestern city of Khamis Mushait, according to Saudi state television. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree claimed the group had also targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and Abha International Airport with drones and missiles; neither claim had Saudi confirmation.
The airport strike lands on the energy map. Fighting is concentrated on the Dhubab district overlooking Bab el-Mandeb, the shipping route that has grown more important for energy exports since the US-Iran conflict restricted trade through the Strait of Hormuz. Saudi-backed government forces with coalition air support launched a counter-offensive this week to retake territory near the strait and around Mocha that the Houthis captured in September, though whether their advance will hold is unclear. Aden airport is the principal international gateway for the parts of Yemen outside Houthi control.