Houthi missile strike hits Aden airport sparking flight cancellations

A Houthi ballistic missile targeted the Saudi-controlled sector of Aden International Airport on Wednesday, 28 October, prompting the suspension of air traffic at the facility. The strike followed an explicit evacuation warning issued by the Houthi movement and marks the second major assault on the airport this month. An Aden police official confirmed to AFP that the missile landed within the airport perimeter. Yemen’s military spokesperson and the Transport Ministry reported that the Wednesday strike involved two ballistic missiles, resulting in civilian injuries and significant material damage. The facility serves as the primary hub for Yemen’s internationally-recognised government and a critical entry point for humanitarian aid and medical supplies. Repeated Strikes Disrupt Civil Aviation This latest escalation follows an earlier attack on 7 October, where two ballistic missiles and several drones targeted the same facility. During that incident, one missile struck near the runway just minutes before a commercial flight from Cairo was scheduled to land. Authorities were forced to divert the aircraft to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to ensure passenger safety. Yemen’s Transport Ministry issued a statement condemning the repeated targeting of the airport, warning that the strikes constitute a direct threat to the safety of air navigation and the lives of civilians. The ministry noted that such disruptions jeopardise the movement of humanitarian workers who rely on Aden as a…