Yemen Houthis Strike Aden Airport and Launch Missiles at Saudi Arabia
The cross-border attacks disrupt regional aviation and follow a newly launched government military offensive along Yemen's western coast.
Yemen's Houthi movement launched ballistic missiles and armed drones early Wednesday, October 7, 2026, targeting Aden International Airport and several locations in Saudi Arabia. The attacks hit near the Aden runway and prompted aerial interceptions over Riyadh and Khamis Mushait.
Two ballistic missiles and explosive-laden drones approached Aden around 2:00 a.m. local time. One missile struck near the runway shortly before a commercial flight arrived from Cairo. Authorities evacuated the passenger terminal and moved two parked aircraft away from the tarmac.
Yemen's Transport Ministry reported that Yemenia Airways flight 603 diverted to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Flight tracking platform FlightAware reported that the aircraft landed safely in Aden at 3:30 a.m. Officials reported no casualties at the Aden airport.
The Saudi-led coalition intercepted a ballistic missile north of Riyadh, said coalition spokesperson Major General Turki al-Malki. Air defenses also intercepted a missile aimed at Khamis Mushait. Flightradar24 reported that flights at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh faced temporary suspensions and delays Wednesday morning.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree announced the strikes on social media. Saree said the group targeted Saudi military equipment at Badr Camp next to Aden airport. He cautioned authorities against using the civilian facility for military purposes.
Saree also claimed strikes against King Khalid Air Base, Abha International Airport, and border military camps in Najran, Jazan, and Asir. He claimed the strikes killed and wounded Saudi personnel. Saudi officials did not verify hits on airports in Riyadh or Abha.
Yemen's Transport Ministry called the strike a dangerous escalation and asked the International Civil Aviation Organization to denounce it. The Aden police department stated that attacking the civilian airport endangered passengers, crews, and staff. The Human Rights Ministry stated that the runway strike narrowly avoided a humanitarian disaster.
The strikes followed an intensified Yemeni government offensive backed by coalition airstrikes along the western Red Sea coast. Earlier in the week, Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad al-Alimi announced Operation Dawn of Yemen. Ground fighting centered around Dhubab and the Waziayah district in southwestern Taiz province.
On Tuesday, Saudi civil aviation authorities confirmed separate drone or missile strikes that wounded at least three people at Jazan and Najran airports. Yemeni forces also began efforts this week to reclaim territory near the port of Mocha and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
The Saudi-led coalition announced it is tracking launch sites in Sanaa, Saada, and Amran governorates and intends to destroy them. In Saudi Arabia, authorities reinforced protective fencing and heightened security around Riyadh infrastructure, including fuel storage tanks near the capital airport.
