Houthi Missile and Drone Strike Hits Aden International Airport as Yemen Fighting Escalates
Yemen's Houthi movement launched ballistic missiles and explosive-laden drones at Aden's international airport on Wednesday, according to the country's transport ministry. The assault came as hostilities between the Iran-aligned Houthis and government forces backed by Saudi Arabia intensified. Recent combat has concentrated around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a maritime corridor whose importance for energy exports has grown since US-Iran tensions curtailed trade through the Strait of Hormuz. This week, Yemeni government troops supported by Saudi-led coalition air power began a counteroffensive aimed at retaking strategic ground near the strait and around the town of Mocha, territory the Houthis had seized in September. Whether the government advance can be sustained remains uncertain.
Key facts
- Yemen's Houthis attacked Aden's international airport on Wednesday with ballistic missiles and explosive-laden drones.
- Yemen's transport ministry reported the attack on Aden's international airport.
- Fighting between the Iran-aligned Houthis and Saudi-backed government forces has intensified.
- Recent fighting has centered on areas around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
- The Bab el-Mandeb Strait has become more crucial for energy exports since US-Iran conflict restricted trade through the Strait of Hormuz.
- Yemeni government forces launched a counteroffensive this week with Saudi-led coalition air support.
- The counteroffensive aims to recapture strategic territory near the strait and around the town of Mocha.
- The Houthis captured that territory in September, and it is unclear if the government advance will hold.
Entities
Institutions
- Houthis
- Yemen transport ministry
- Saudi-led coalition
Locations
- Aden
- Yemen
- Bab el-Mandeb Strait
- Strait of Hormuz
- Mocha
- Iran
- Saudi Arabia
- United States