Yemen’s authorities said Aden International Airport was targeted by the Houthis with two missiles and several kamikaze drones. Aden Provincial Police said initial assessments following the attack found no casualties.
Yemen’s Ministry of Transport said the airport’s terminal building and runway were targeted. The ministry said one of the ballistic missiles fell near the runway several minutes before a passenger aircraft operating the Cairo–Aden flight was due to land.
Cairo–Aden flight diverted to Jeddah
Because of the attack, the aircraft arriving in Aden from Cairo was not allowed to land and the flight was diverted to Jeddah. Following the attack, which took place while passengers were waiting for the Aden–Jeddah flight, two passenger aircraft on the runway were moved to a secure area.
Passengers at the airport were evacuated after additional drones belonging to the Houthis were detected in the skies over Aden. Security measures were increased at and around Aden International Airport.
Yemeni authorities warn about civil aviation
Yemen’s Ministry of Transport said missile and drone attacks carried out during the landing and takeoff times of passenger aircraft put civilians’ lives at risk. The ministry said the attack posed a serious threat to civil aviation and airport security.
The ministry also appealed to the international community and civil aviation organizations, particularly the International Civil Aviation Organization. It called for responsibility to be assumed to protect civilian facilities and commercial flights from military targets.
The attack came as Yemeni government forces pressed on with Operation Dawn of Yemen against the Houthis, announced on Monday by Presidential Leadership Council head Rashad al-Alimi with the stated aim of retaking Sanaa and state institutions.
