Yemen’s Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for firing two missiles at the grounds of Aden International Airport on Friday, raising fresh concerns over security in the country’s southern port city. Initial reports indicated that no casualties had been recorded, although the full extent of the damage remained unclear.
In a statement, the Houthis said the attack targeted the Saudi forces’ command headquarters at Badr camp in Aden province, along with a weapons depot. The group is fighting Yemen’s internationally recognised government and its Saudi-backed allies.
A security department in Aden confirmed that two rockets launched by the Houthi movement struck the airport grounds. The incident marked the second such attack in less than a week, highlighting continued security risks in an area of strategic importance.
An Agence France-Presse (AFP) journalist reported hearing two loud explosions near the airport. However, the journalist could not independently establish which specific facilities had been struck.
A police source had earlier told AFP that two rockets landed in the vicinity of Aden airport. A second source subsequently corroborated the report.
According to information attributed to Yemen’s Information Ministry, a Yemenia Airways aircraft was preparing for departure when the missiles struck nearby. The ministry said the projectiles landed approximately 500 metres from the aircraft and around 100 metres from the centre of the runway. Passengers and crew members were reported to be safe.
The proximity of the explosions to an aircraft preparing for departure raised concerns about the potential consequences for civilian aviation. Airports serve not only as transport hubs for ordinary passengers but also as important facilities for government operations and emergency travel. Attacks in their vicinity can therefore disrupt air services and place passengers, airline staff and airport personnel at risk.
Yemen has endured years of conflict between the internationally recognised government and the Houthis, who control significant parts of the country. Saudi Arabia has been a key ally of the government and has been involved in the conflict against the rebel movement.
The latest incident underscores the continuing security challenges facing Aden, a major southern city that serves as an important base for Yemen’s internationally recognised authorities. Repeated attacks near the airport could further complicate efforts to maintain safe civilian air operations.
Although no deaths were reported in the initial accounts of Friday’s incident, a comprehensive assessment of the damage and the wider impact of the missile strikes was not immediately available.
