Rocket attack targets Aden International Airport dawn

Aden International Airport was subjected to a missile attack at dawn on Wednesday, launched by the Houthis, targeting a vital civilian facility and endangering the lives of travelers and workers. The competent authorities immediately began dealing with the repercussions of the incident and enhanced security and preventive measures at the airport and its surroundings, confirming that targeting the facility threatens the safety of civilians, travelers, workers, and flight crews, and jeopardizes civil aviation traffic. The administration confirmed, based on preliminary information, that no human casualties were recorded, stressing that Aden Airport represents an air gateway serving residents of various governorates, especially patients, students, workers, and travelers, warning that targeting it threatens civilian safety and civil aviation traffic. For its part, the Yemeni Ministry of Transport condemned the targeting of Aden International Airport with two ballistic missiles and a number of drone aircraft, indicating that the attack hit the airport runway and the passenger terminal. It explained that one of the missiles fell near the runway minutes before the landing of Yemenia Airways flight number 603 coming from Cairo, which almost caused a humanitarian disaster. It considered the attack a dangerous escalation and a violation of international laws and norms protecting civil aviation, airports, and civilian facilities, affirming the continued operation of Aden Airport as a civil gateway to serve Yemenis and travelers. The ministry announced the evacuation of Aden International Airport, the removal of the aircraft located there, and the diversion of a Yemenia Airways flight coming from Cairo towards Jeddah. It added that the authorities moved two airplanes that were on the airport grounds and evacuated the airport building of employees and travelers in conjunction with the monitoring of drones in the skies of Aden to protect lives, aircraft, and ensure the safety of air navigation. Commenting on the targeting, the advisor to the Chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, Abdulmalik Al-Mikhlafi, stated that targeting Aden International Airport reflects once again the Houthis approach of targeting civilians and public facilities with the aim of terrorizing the population and destabilizing security and stability. He added that the group does not adhere to a direct military confrontation or the rules of engagement, stressing that confronting its danger requires restoring state institutions, disarming it, and building a unified national army to protect the country.