Yemen’s conflict widened on Wednesday as Houthi forces targeted Aden International Airport with ballistic missiles and explosive-laden drones, while attacks also hit airports in southern Saudi Arabia.
Yemen’s Transport Ministry said two ballistic missiles and several explosive-laden drones were fired at Aden airport. One missile landed near the runway minutes before Yemenia flight 603 from Cairo was due to land, prompting authorities to divert the aircraft to Jeddah.
Passengers and airport staff were evacuated from the terminal, while two aircraft on the ground were moved away after drones were detected over the city. No casualties were reported.
The attack came as fighting intensified elsewhere in Yemen, with government forces launching an offensive to retake the Houthi-held district of al-Waziiya in Taiz governorate.
The operation is part of a broader campaign announced by President Rashad al-Alimi to reclaim Houthi-held territory, including areas around the Red Sea coast and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
Yemeni government forces said they had secured strategic hills overlooking the al-Mansoura area as they pushed against Houthi positions in western Taiz.
The Houthis have maintained control over parts of western Yemen, including areas around Mocha and Bab al-Mandeb, while government forces seek to regain ground along the strategic maritime corridor.
Houthi attacks hit Saudi airports
The escalation also spread into Saudi Arabia, where the Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted and destroyed a Houthi ballistic missile north of Riyadh.
Saudi Arabia said three people were wounded in attacks on Monday evening targeting King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz airport in Jazan and Najran airport near the Yemen border.
The coalition said it was tracking the launch platform over Sanaa and would destroy it.
Houthi officials have continued to claim control over recently captured territory as Saudi-backed forces press their counteroffensive.
The renewed attacks have heightened concerns over security around the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb, coming as the wider Middle East conflict continues to affect energy markets.
Oil prices rise
Brent crude futures rose 93 cents, or 0.92%, to $101.51 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate gained 82 cents, or 0.92%, to $90.25.
The market was weighing supply constraints from a storm approaching US oil-producing regions and the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia against increased supplies of Middle East crude.
Elsewhere, Oman evacuated 10 crew members from a Panamanian-flagged tanker after the vessel was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz and caught fire, adding to concerns over shipping security in the region.
