Yemen's Aden International Airport was attacked, and the Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted multiple missiles and drones

China News Service, Beijing, October 17th Comprehensive news: Aden International Airport in southern Yemen was attacked by a missile on the 16th. On the same day, the multinational coalition led by Saudi Arabia stated that they had intercepted and destroyed 3 missiles and 4 drones that day.

Moammar Elyani, the Yemeni government's information minister, said on social media that two missiles landed near the runway of Aden International Airport on the 16th, about 500 meters away from a plane preparing to take off. He said that this was not only an attack on a civilian airport, but also a direct threat to the lives of passengers and crew, aviation security, and international law and norms.

Yemen's Houthis have not yet claimed responsibility for the attack. According to the Saba News Agency controlled by the Houthi armed forces, a military source in the Houthi armed forces said on the 16th that the organization attacked the Saudi army command headquarters and a weapons depot at the Badr military base in Aden Province.

In addition, the health department of the Houthi armed forces in Yemen issued a statement on the 16th saying that Saudi Arabia used internationally banned cluster bombs to attack a residential area in Zamal Province that day, killing three children and injuring 15 people.

Saudi Arabia has yet to respond.

On the 16th, the Saudi-led coalition said they intercepted two cruise missiles over the Red Sea and three drones in southern Saudi Arabia and Riyadh Province. Additionally, they intercepted a ballistic missile heading toward the Saudi Red Sea coastal city of Yanbu.

Reuters stated that Yanbu is an important oil hub for Saudi Arabia, allowing Saudi Arabia to bypass the Strait of Hormuz when exporting oil.

Saudi Arabia also accuses Iran of encouraging the Houthis to attack the kingdom, including providing the group with weapons and training. However, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs refuted this accusation on the 16th.

According to the Islamic Republic of Iran News Agency, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Bagaei stated that Iran refuted any claims about Iran’s involvement in military operations in Yemen and emphasized that solving the Yemeni issue requires respecting Yemen’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity and stopping interfering in its internal affairs.

He said that Iran is always ready to do its best to help end the conflict. If the parties to the conflict request, Iran is willing to assist all parties to resolve the issue peacefully. (over)