Houthi attacks target Riyadh, Aden airport

RIYADH

Bystanders stand near the runway of Yemen southern city of Aden’s airport shortly after an explosion hit as a government plane landed, Dec. 30, 2020. (AP file photo)

The Saudi-led coalition said on Oct. 7 it had intercepted a Houthi ballistic missile north of Riyadh, while Yemeni authorities reported a missile and drone attack on Aden International Airport.

Coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki said the missile was launched from Houthi-held Sanaa and that coalition forces were tracking its launch platform.

The coalition also reported intercepting a ballistic missile fired toward Khamis Mushait in southern Saudi Arabia.

Yemen’s Transport Ministry said two ballistic missiles and several explosive-laden drones targeted Aden airport’s terminal and runway. Aden police said initial reports indicated no deaths.

One missile landed near the runway minutes before a flight from Cairo was due to arrive, the ministry said. The aircraft was diverted to Jeddah.

Two passenger planes on the ground were moved to safety, while passengers were evacuated after additional drones were detected over Aden, according to the ministry. Security was also increased at the airport and surrounding areas.

The ministry condemned the attack and urged international aviation bodies, including the International Civil Aviation Organization, to help protect civilian airports and commercial flights.

Yemeni government forces also launched an offensive in al-Waziiya, a mountainous district in Taiz province, as part of efforts to retake territory along the Red Sea coast and around the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.

The army’s media center said the pro-government Homeland Shield Forces had secured strategic hills overlooking al-Mansoura. The Houthis denied the advance, saying they had repelled government forces.

The offensive forms part of Operation Dawn of Yemen, announced by Presidential Leadership Council head Rashad al-Alimi with the stated aim of retaking Houthi-held territory, including Sanaa.

The campaign follows Houthi advances last month along the western coast, where the group captured the port city of Mokha and areas around the strait.

The Iran-backed Houthis seized Sanaa in September 2014. The Saudi-led coalition intervened in March 2015 in support of Yemen’s internationally recognized government.