Yemen's Houthi movement launched a coordinated missile and drone assault on Aden International Airport on Tuesday, striking the runway just minutes before a commercial flight was due to land.

According to Yemen's civil aviation authority, two ballistic missiles and at least one explosive‑laden drone hit the airfield, prompting an emergency shutdown and the diversion of incoming aircraft. The attack occurred as a passenger plane approached, forcing it to abort its landing and circle offshore until clearance was granted.

"The runway is currently unsafe for any aircraft," the authority said in a brief statement.

The strike caused visible craters on the runway and ignited a small fire near the taxiway, though no casualties were reported among airport staff or passengers. Rescue teams from the Yemeni Ministry of Defence arrived within minutes to contain the blaze and assess structural damage.

Houthis intensify attacks on civilian infrastructure

Since seizing control of large parts of southern Yemen in 2024, the Houthi rebels have expanded their targeting beyond military sites to include commercial hubs that serve international traffic. Their campaign has previously involved missile strikes on Saudi oil facilities and repeated drone raids on vessels transiting the Red Sea, prompting a multinational naval response.

The latest airport attack fits a pattern of escalating pressure on the Red Sea corridor, a vital artery for global trade and humanitarian aid. Analysts at the International Crisis Group note that striking an airport that handles thousands of passengers each month sends a clear signal to both regional powers and the international community.

Regional reactions and security implications

The United Arab Emirates, which co‑hosts a coalition with Saudi Arabia against the Houthis, condemned the strike as a "dangerous escalation" that threatens civilian lives. In a statement, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs called for an immediate cease‑fire and urged the United Nations to intervene.

The United States, already engaged in a proxy rivalry with Iran—widely accused of supplying the Houthis with advanced weaponry—issued a warning that any further attacks on civilian infrastructure could trigger a "robust response". A spokesperson for the US Central Command said the US is monitoring the situation closely and stands ready to protect its interests in the region.

Impact on air travel and humanitarian aid

Aden International Airport, the second‑largest hub in Yemen, handles a mix of commercial, humanitarian and diplomatic flights. The temporary closure is expected to disrupt the movement of aid convoys destined for the north‑west of the country, where famine risk remains high.

Airlines operating the Aden‑Sanaa route have announced flight cancellations for the next 24‑48 hours while the airport authorities conduct safety inspections. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) warned that prolonged shutdowns could force airlines to reroute flights through more distant hubs, raising costs for passengers and freight alike.

Humanitarian organisations, including the World Food Programme, have urged the coalition forces to secure the airport and guarantee safe passage for aid flights. "Every hour the airport remains closed puts vulnerable populations at greater risk," a WFP spokesperson said.

What comes next

Yemen's transitional government has pledged to repair the runway within 72 hours, but experts caution that rebuilding may take longer if further attacks occur. Meanwhile, the coalition's naval presence in the Gulf of Aden is being bolstered, with additional warships dispatched to deter further drone incursions.

The incident underscores the fragility of security in a region already strained by the Iran‑US rivalry and the protracted Yemeni civil war. Observers say that unless diplomatic channels are reopened, attacks on civilian sites are likely to continue, keeping international travel and aid flows in a state of uncertainty.