World · Middle East · 1 hr ago
Two missiles strike Aden airport as Yemen fighting escalates
Two missiles struck the airport in Aden, Yemen, on Friday night, police said.
Police blamed the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, while a Houthi official said the group targeted a nearby military facility.
No casualties were reported, and passengers on a Yemenia Airways plane were evacuated after the missiles landed about 500 meters away.
The strike was the second major attack in Aden in two days, following a Houthi strike on a government palace complex that killed at least five people.
Fighting has revived Yemen’s devastating civil war amid wider tensions linked to the Iran conflict.
The Houthis have also attacked targets in Saudi Arabia and taken land near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, an important shipping route.
The latest attack adds to risks for civilians and vital facilities, but no next step following the Aden airport strike was stated.
Two missiles struck near the runway at Aden International Airport on Friday, according to Yemen’s internationally recognised government and police.
Officials said no casualties were reported, and the passengers and crew of a nearby aircraft were safe.
The Houthis said they targeted a military facility and weapons depot near the airport.
The strike came a day after an attack on a palace complex in Aden killed at least five people, according to AP.
Fighting has also intensified in other parts of Yemen, including Marib and Taiz.
- Who
- Yemen’s internationally recognised government blamed the Houthis for the attack. The Houthis said they targeted a military facility near the airport.
- What
- Two missiles struck near the runway at Aden International Airport. Officials reported no casualties.
- When
- Friday night, October 16, 2026.
- Where
- Aden International Airport in Yemen’s port city of Aden.
- Why
- The Houthis said they targeted a command center for Saudi-led forces and a weapons depot. The government said the attack endangered civilians and vital facilities.
Yemen’s internationally recognised government
Houthis
Responsibility
Yemen’s internationally recognised government
The government blamed the Houthis for firing two missiles at the airport.
Houthis
The Houthis said they attacked a military facility and weapons depot near the airport.
Purpose and impact
Yemen’s internationally recognised government
The government described the strike as a grave violation and said it endangered civilians and vital facilities.
Houthis
The Houthis said the target was a command center for Saudi-led forces and a weapons depot.
Officials said the Houthis previously targeted Aden airport with two missiles, with no casualties.
An attack on a palace complex in Aden killed at least five people, according to AP.
Two missiles struck near the runway at Aden International Airport, with no casualties reported.
Yemeni government forces said they had advanced in Marib province and neutralised more than 430 Houthi fighters in 24 hours.
- Missiles
- 2 struck near the airport runway
- Distance from aircraft
- About 500 metres
- Casualties in airport strike
- None reported
- Previous airport attack
- October 7
- Palace attack deaths
- At least 5
- Reported Houthi fighters neutralised
- More than 430 in 24 hours
2 sources
What people are saying
a grave violation of international laws and norms
systematic Houthi escalation targeting vital facilities and state assets