Houthi Attacks on Saudi Airports Kill 3 Amid Escalating War in Yemen

Earlier on Wednesday, Yemeni authorities said ballistic missile and drone strikes targeted Aden international airport in Yemen. One missile landed near the runway shortly before a flight from Cairo was scheduled to land, Yemen’s Transport Ministry said. The Houthis acknowledged a missile strike nearby but said their target was a military camp.

The Saudi civilian aviation authorities also said two airports in the kingdom’s south were attacked on Monday evening, injuring three people. The airports, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Jazan and Najran International Airport, suffered material damage, the authorities announced on Tuesday.

Last month, Saudi Arabia accused the Houthis of attempting an attack on Mecca, calling it a “red line.” The Houthis denied the allegations, as did Iran.    

Saudi Arabia has sought help from a number of its allies to fight the Houthis. Turkey has sent defensive and technical support, Reuters reported on Wednesday, citing officials. Saudi Arabia signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement with Turkey and Pakistan in August, and the three parties agreed to implement its collective defence commitments earlier this week.