Newsletters
Two missiles struck the grounds of Aden International Airport in southern Yemen on Friday, with the Iran-backed Houthi movement claiming responsibility as fighting with Saudi-backed forces continues.
The Aden Capital Security Department confirmed that the rockets landed inside the airport complex, marking the second such incident in less than a week. Preliminary information indicated no casualties.
The Houthis said the attack targeted the Saudi forces’ command headquarters at the Badr camp in Aden province, as well as a weapons depot. An AFP journalist heard two loud explosions near the airport but could not confirm what had been hit.
Meanwhile, Iran denied allegations that it had encouraged the Houthis to step up attacks on Saudi Arabia, after a Saudi Foreign Ministry official accused Tehran of fueling the escalation a day earlier.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei rejected the accusation in a statement, saying Tehran had played no role in the group’s operations.
"Yemen's armed forces act according to their own interests and assessments, and such claims are not credible to those familiar with relations between Iran and its friends," Baqaei said, adding that Iran did not consider further escalation to be in any party’s interests.
Since Yemen’s civil war flared up again in July, the Houthis have repeatedly attacked Saudi targets, including Red Sea tankers, oil facilities and Riyadh’s international airport. An attack on the Saudi capital’s airport last week killed 13 people.
The Saudi-led military coalition, which has backed Yemen’s internationally recognized government for more than a decade, reported intercepting additional missiles and drones on Friday as Houthi attacks continued.
Iran also renewed its offer to mediate between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, saying Riyadh had yet to respond to the proposal.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh told Lebanon-based Al Mayadeen television that Tehran had discussed the crisis with Saudi officials and offered to mediate, but had received no response.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made a similar offer during a phone call with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan on Oct. 12, saying Tehran was ready to help resolve the crisis between Riyadh and the Houthis.
Araghchi also warned that trying to settle the dispute through military means would deepen regional tensions, urging the sides to pursue dialogue instead.
Saudi Deputy Minister for Public Diplomacy Rayed Krimly had previously said the Houthis rejected an offer to meet in Oman at the start of the latest round of hostilities.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
1 min read
