Global
Amidst the ongoing security developments in the Yemeni arena, and within the context of attempts to target infrastructure and vital civil facilities, the Aden Security Directorate officially announced that Aden International Airport was subjected, in the early hours of Wednesday dawn, to a direct attack by two missiles launched by the Houthi group. This assault targeted a vital and extremely important civilian facility, putting the lives of travelers and workers in direct and grave danger. The directorate explained that the competent authorities immediately began dealing with the repercussions of this dangerous incident, stepping up security and preventive measures inside and around the airport to prevent any recurrence of such violations. It stressed that targeting this vital facility constitutes a flagrant threat to the safety of civilians, travelers, workers, and flight crews, and exposes civil aviation traffic as a whole to severe risks. In the same context, the security administration confirmed, based on preliminary data and reports, that no human casualties were recorded as a result of the attack. It emphasized that Aden Airport represents a main and vital air gateway serving the residents of various Yemeni governorates, particularly patients, students, workers, and travelers from various segments of society, renewing the warning that the continuation of these terrorist acts threatens civilian safety and disrupts civil aviation traffic. For its part, the Yemeni Ministry of Transport issued an official statement strongly condemning the targeting of Aden International Airport with two ballistic missiles and a number of drone aircraft, indicating that the treacherous attack affected essential facilities including the airport runway and the passenger terminal. The ministry revealed that one of the missiles landed near the runway just minutes before the landing of Yemenia Airways flight number 603 coming from the Egyptian capital, Cairo, a matter that could have easily led to a confirmed humanitarian disaster. The Ministry of Transport considered this attack a dangerous and unjustified escalation and a blatant violation of all international laws and norms that protect civil aviation, airports, and civilian facilities, while affirming its keenness to keep Aden Airport operational as an essential civil gateway serving Yemenis and travelers. The ministry announced emergency measures that included evacuating Aden International Airport and removing all aircraft present there, in addition to rerouting a Yemenia Airways flight coming from Cairo to head towards Jeddah Airport. It added that the authorities removed two other planes that were on the airport tarmac and completely evacuated the airport building of employees and passengers, coinciding with the spotting of drone aircraft hovering in the skies of Aden, aiming to protect lives, aircraft, and ensure the highest standards of air navigation safety. Commenting on this dangerous targeting, the advisor to the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, Abdulmalik Al-Mikhlafi, considered that targeting Aden International Airport reflects once again the continuous approach of the Houthis in targeting civilians and public facilities with the aim of terrorizing peaceful residents and destabilizing security and stability in the liberated governorates. He added that the group does not commit to a direct military confrontation or the known rules of engagement, stressing that confronting this ongoing danger requires concerted efforts to restore state institutions, disarm the group, and build a unified and strong national army capable of protecting the country and defending its citizens.
