War in Yemen: New escalation between Houthis and Saudi Arabia

afp | According to the pro-Iranian Houthi militia, more than a dozen people were killed in Yemen by Saudi Arabian attacks on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Houthi militia again attacked the airport in the southern Yemeni city of Aden. According to a preliminary report, attacks on a market and a gas station in the northwestern province of Jawf left 14 dead and 15 injured, including women and children, the Houthi militia-run Al-Masirah broadcaster reported on Wednesday. He blamed Saudi Arabia for the attacks.

Meanwhile, in Aden, a Houthis rocket hit inside the airport area - shortly before the Houthis issued an evacuation call for the area, as the AFP news agency learned from police circles. The attack occurred while a Saudi Arabian military aircraft was at the airport. However, the plane was not hit and started shortly afterwards, police sources said.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said on Telegram: “Our armed forces call on those present at Aden airport to vacate immediately as there is a military transport belonging to the Saudi Arabian enemy there.” The plane was carrying “weapons to kill the sons of the Yemeni people,” Saree added.

A short time later, a police official told AFP that Aden airport had been hit a second time. “A Houthi missile targeted the area under the control of Saudi Arabian forces within the Aden airport area,” the police officer said.

The Houthis have attacked Aden several times in recent weeks. The city houses facilities of the internationally recognized Yemeni government and the Saudi-led coalition.

With the start of the Iran War, which was triggered by the USA and Israel at the end of February, the fighting between the Houthis and the Yemeni government escalated again. The military coalition led by Saudi Arabia is supporting Yemeni troops in their fight against the Houthis. As a result, the kingdom was increasingly targeted by direct attacks from the pro-Iranian Houthis.