Yemen’s Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for firing two missiles at the grounds of Aden International Airport in the country’s southern port city. The attack took place on Friday, with no casualties reported in initial accounts. However, it remained unclear which specific facilities were struck or whether the missiles caused any significant damage.
In a statement, the Houthis said the targets were the Saudi forces’ command headquarters at Badr camp in Aden province and a weapons depot. The group has been fighting Yemen’s internationally recognised government and its Saudi-backed allies as part of the country’s prolonged conflict.
Aden’s security department confirmed in a statement that two rockets launched by the Houthi movement had struck the grounds of Aden International Airport. The incident marked the second such attack in less than a week, raising fresh concerns about security around the strategically important facility.
An Agence France-Presse (AFP) journalist reported hearing two loud explosions near the airport. However, the journalist was unable to establish precisely which structures had been hit.
A police source had earlier told AFP that two rockets had landed in the vicinity of Aden airport. Another source subsequently confirmed the account, lending further support to reports of the attack.
Initial information indicated that no one had been killed. Nevertheless, details about possible damage to airport infrastructure or nearby military facilities were not immediately available. The Houthis identified Saudi military installations as their intended targets, but it was not independently confirmed whether either of those facilities had been directly hit.
Yemen has been embroiled in a prolonged conflict between the internationally recognised government and the Houthi movement. Saudi Arabia has been a key supporter of the government and has played a significant role in the conflict against the rebels. The fighting has contributed to persistent instability and security challenges across several parts of the country.
Aden is an important city in southern Yemen and serves as a key centre for the internationally recognised authorities. Its international airport is essential for civilian travel and transport, making security around the facility particularly important.
Missile strikes near an airport can pose risks to passengers, airline staff and airport personnel, while potentially disrupting civilian air operations. Repeated incidents in the same area may also complicate efforts to maintain safe and reliable transport services.
Friday’s attack has renewed concerns about the security situation in Aden, particularly following reports of another similar incident within less than a week. Although no casualties were initially reported, the full extent of the damage and the broader implications of the strikes remained unclear.
The Houthi claim and the statement from Aden’s security department confirmed that two rockets had struck the airport grounds. Further details about the impact of the attack were not immediately available.
