Missiles targeted Aden International Airport in Yemen’s south on Friday and a Saudi-led military coalition announced that it shot down a ballistic missile aimed at Yanbu, a critical Saudi oil export port on the Red Sea, Reuters said.
Two missiles hit the airport and Yemen’s Aden Security Department accused the Iran-backed Houthi group. It was the second strike on the airport in less than a week. The Houthis did not immediately claim responsibility.
There have been no casualties. The security department said a Yemenia Airways plane preparing for takeoff for Cairo was on the runway when the missiles hit.
The coalition said it also shot down two cruise missiles over the Red Sea and three drones targeting southern parts of Saudi Arabia and Riyadh. The report did not state who carried out the attacks.
Yanbu is an important port for Saudi oil exports, which enable the country to export oil to world markets via the Red Sea, without navigating through the Strait of Hormuz.
The attacks are taking place as fighting resumes between the internationally recognised government of Yemen, supported by Saudi Arabia and the Houthis. The escalation in violence has raised regional security concerns about the safety of oil infrastructure and shipping lanes.
