The latest

Houthi forces launched a new wave of ballistic missile and drone attacks early Wednesday, striking toward Aden International Airport and claiming operations against Riyadh, Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jizan and Najran. Saudi authorities reported attacks across those locations, though they did not immediately confirm the claim involving King Khalid International Airport. The exchanges intensified alongside fighting on Yemen’s Red Sea coast, bringing airports, military installations and civilian infrastructure back into the conflict’s immediate reach.

Details

• Aden evacuation: Yemen’s internationally recognised government said two ballistic missiles and several explosive-laden drones were launched toward Aden shortly before dawn. One missile landed near the runway minutes before Yemenia Airways Flight 603 from Cairo was due to land. The aircraft diverted to Jeddah, while airport authorities evacuated passengers and staff and moved two Yemenia and Aden Airways aircraft away from the danger zone. No casualties were reported.
• Saudi target list: The Houthis said drones targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, while missiles and drones were directed at Abha International Airport and Khamis Mushait military base. Saudi authorities separately reported attacks affecting Riyadh, Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Najran. Online videos appeared to show explosions near Aden airport, while the full damage there remained unclear.
• Coalition response: Saudi state television said the Saudi-led coalition intercepted and destroyed a Houthi ballistic missile headed toward Khamis Mushait. The coalition also reported interceptions around Jazan and Khamis Mushait and continuing operations against launch sites. On Tuesday, spokesman Maj Gen Turki Al Malki said forces destroyed a ballistic-missile launch platform in Sanaa and a missile storage facility in Saada.
• Houthi casualty claims: Houthi military spokesman Brig Gen Yahya Saree said three Saudi military camps in Jizan and Asir were targeted with ballistic missiles and drones. He claimed dozens of Saudi soldiers and officers were killed or wounded and weapons depots were set ablaze. Those casualty and damage claims were not independently verified.
• Aviation disruption: Saudi aviation authorities reported Tuesday that attacks targeted King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Jizan and Najran International Airport. FlightRadar24 said Riyadh flights were placed “on hold” for several hours. The disruption affects a sector central to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plans for tourism and international connectivity, while southern airports remain vital links for communities near Yemen.

Background

Saudi Arabia intervened militarily in Yemen in 2015, leading a coalition supporting the internationally recognised government after the Houthis seized Sanaa. A UN-backed truce in 2022 sharply reduced cross-border attacks. Although it expired later that year, relative calm continued as Riyadh and the Houthis pursued indirect negotiations.

What’s next

The next indicators will be further flight holds or diversions at Saudi and Yemeni airports, additional coalition interception announcements, and changes in fighting along Yemen’s Red Sea coast.