Sanaa, 07 October (H.S.): Iran-backed Houthi rebels have launched an attack on Aden International Airport in Yemen’s port city of Aden, posing a fresh challenge to the Saudi-led coalition. The Houthis used ballistic missiles and explosive-laden drones in the attack, although no casualties were reported. The Saudi-led coalition also said it had intercepted a ballistic missile north of Riyadh.

According to Al Jazeera, Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces have consolidated their control over the highest peak in the Jabal Habashi district of Taiz as part of “Operation Dawn of Yemen”, which was launched to regain control of areas held by the Houthis. The Saudi-led coalition has said that the Houthi-controlled capital Sanaa, along with the provinces of Saada and Amran, are the main sources of Houthi missile attacks against Saudi Arabia.

Yemen’s Ministry of Civil Aviation has condemned the Houthi attack on Aden International Airport. In a statement posted on X, the ministry described it as a “horrific attack”, saying that it endangered the lives of passengers, airport employees and flight crews. According to preliminary reports, there were no casualties in the attack.

Yemen’s internationally recognised government has also condemned the Houthi missile attack. The government said that one missile landed near the airport runway, just as Yemenia Airways Flight 603 from Cairo was scheduled to land with civilian passengers on board. The attack also created a crisis for passengers waiting to travel on flights to Jeddah.

The ministry described the attack as a “serious violation” of international humanitarian law. It said the strike endangered civilians’ lives and security and violated their right to freedom of movement, while also threatening an important lifeline for travel, medical treatment and the return of Yemenis to their country.

The ministry called on the international community and civil aviation organisations to condemn the attack and take practical measures to protect civilian infrastructure. It also urged the United Nations Security Council to exert pressure to prevent such attacks.

According to the United Nations migration agency, nearly 1,000 people have been killed and more than 184,000 displaced in fighting between internationally recognised government forces and Houthi rebels since August. The conflict has intensified as government forces, backed by Saudi-led coalition air support, have launched a counteroffensive against Houthi positions.

The Houthis seized control of the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, in 2014 and subsequently established their own administration in the areas under their control.

Meanwhile, UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg has concluded his visit to Washington, where he held discussions with senior US officials on recent developments in Yemen. According to a statement posted on his office’s X account, Grundberg’s visit concluded on Tuesday. During his trip, he met officials from the US Department of State, the National Security Council and the Pentagon, as well as American and Yemeni experts.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar