Houthis Launch Ballistic Missile at Saudi-Led Camp in Aden

Houthi Strike on Aden Coalition Position

Yemen’s Houthis said they fired a ballistic missile at the coalition’s military operation room at Badr Camp in Aden on Wednesday. [2] The group’s military spokesperson Yahya Saree described the strike as precise and direct. [2] Yemeni state media also reported that a missile targeted Aden International Airport the same morning. [2] The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack on the Saudi-led coalition position near the airport in the southern city of Aden, where the Yemeni government is based. [1] A government military source and a local official separately stated that the group attacked Riyan airport in the southeastern coastal city of Mukalla. [1]

Saudi Coalition Intercepts Drones Over Medina

Houthis claim ballistic missile strike on Saudi-led coalition camp in Aden. — Source: middleeasteye

The Saudi-led coalition reported that it intercepted and destroyed four drones launched toward the Medina and Eastern regions of Saudi Arabia. [2] Yemen’s Houthis denied launching any drones toward the Saudi holy city of Medina on Wednesday and stated that they had not conducted military operations toward Saudi Arabia. [1] The comments by the Iran-aligned group’s military spokesperson Yahya Saree followed the coalition’s statement on the interceptions. [1] The Houthis have warned airlines this month against using Saudi airspace, saying only the airspace over Islam’s holy cities of Mecca and Medina would be exempted. [1]

Accusations Over Fishermen Deaths in Taiz

The Houthis accused Saudi Arabia of killing eight fishermen overnight in an attack off the coast of al-Kadha in Taiz governorate. [2] The Sanaa-based health ministry condemned the strikes on boats as a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and said the kingdom continues to target civilians and civilian objects. [2] The group carried out the ballistic missile strike on the coalition position in Aden after making these accusations. [2]

Recent Houthi Attack in Shabwa and Casualties

Yemeni government forces inspect damage at Aden airport after Houthi missile attack. — Source: anadolu

A Houthi missile attack on a government security forces training camp in Shabwa province on Monday killed 73 people. [1] Local Yemeni authorities raised the death toll from that strike to 73 on Tuesday, with 200 others wounded, most of whom were young recruits hit during a training drill. [2]

Airstrikes on Houthi Positions East of Mokha

Yemeni state media reported that warplanes struck Houthi positions east of Mokha. [4] Yemen TV reported the airstrikes targeting Houthi positions east of Mokha, with no immediate details on casualties or damage. [5] The Houthis separately claimed they hit the Saudi operations room at Badr Camp in Aden. [4]

Broader Context of Renewed Yemen Conflict

Renewed fighting in recent weeks ended a 2022 UN-brokered truce that had largely halted cross-border attacks between the Saudi-led coalition backing Yemen’s internationally recognised government and the Houthis, who control the capital Sanaa. [1] Yemen remains one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises and has been mired in a civil war since 2014 when the Houthis drove the government out of the northern capital, drawing Saudi-led military intervention. [1] The escalation has opened another front in the US-Israeli war on Iran. [1] The renewed conflict between the Houthis and the Saudi-backed government has alarmed the international community. [2] On Tuesday the UK said it was set to deploy Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter jets to Saudi Arabia as a form of protection against Houthi attacks, with the aircraft to be used only for defensive missions and not to attack Houthis. [2] Military advisers as well as an RAF A400M transport aircraft will also be sent to the kingdom. [2] Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi requested parliamentary authorisation last week to act in Saudi Arabia’s defence if asked, and the National Defence Council pledged all necessary and possible support. [2]

What to watch next: Further Houthi claims of strikes on coalition positions and any additional intercepts reported by the Saudi-led coalition, alongside parliamentary votes on Egyptian support and deployment of UK defensive aircraft.