Two Houthi Missiles Target Yemen's Aden International Airport
Explosions were reported near Aden International Airport following an attack on Friday, April 8th. The Saudi-backed Yemeni government claimed that two missiles were fired by the Houthi group.
Background: Yemen's Conflict
- Yemen is a country located in Southwest Arabia, bordering Saudi Arabia and the Red Sea.
- The ongoing conflict in Yemen began in 2014 when the Houthi rebels, a Shia Muslim group from the northern province of Saada, took control of much of the country.
- Since 2015, a Saudi-led coalition, backed by the United States and the United Kingdom, has been fighting against the Houthis to restore the internationally recognized Yemeni government.
Attack on Aden International Airport
The Houthi-backed missiles targeted the busy airport, causing damage but no immediate reports of casualties.
Response from Yemeni Government
Yemen's government spokesperson, Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi, condemned the attack and pledged to continue fighting against the Houthi rebels.
"This cowardly act reflects the Houthi militia's desperation and their failure to achieve their military objectives on the ground," Hadi said in a statement.
Saudi-led Coalition's Statement
The Saudi-led coalition, which has been fighting against the Houthis since 2015, expressed solidarity with Yemen's government.
"We stand with our Yemeni brothers and sisters, and we will continue to support them until they regain control of their country from the Houthi militias," said a statement from the coalition.
International Concern
The attack has raised international concerns over the safety of the airport and the impact on civilians living in the vicinity.
"We urge all parties to prioritize the safety of civilians and ensure that international humanitarian law is upheld," said a spokesperson for the United Nations.
Yemeni Civilians Struggle On
The ongoing conflict has taken a heavy toll on the civilian population in Yemen, one of the world's poorest countries.
"Yemeni civilians continue to bear the brunt of this conflict, with limited access to basic necessities like food, medicine, and clean water," said a spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross.
<small>Source: Al Jazeera — read the original story there.</small>
