In brief
A loud explosion near Aden International Airport was sparked by a Houthi ballistic missile on Oct. 28, 2026. Local security officials reported the blast, while Houthi forces claimed a Saudi cargo aircraft was present. No response yet from the Saudi‑led coalition or Yemeni government.
On Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026, a loud explosion shook the area around Aden International Airport in southern Yemen after a Houthi‑fired ballistic missile struck the vicinity, a local security official reported to Xinhua. The blast, heard up to several kilometers away, was described as abruptly intense.
The anonymous official said no immediate casualties or damage had been confirmed, and the airport remained operational despite the shockwave. Local residents were advised to stay indoors until authorities assessed the situation.
Later the same day, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea posted on X that people at the airport should evacuate immediately. He claimed
a Saudi military cargo aircraft was at the airport transporting weaponsthat would be used against the Yemeni people.
These claims have not yet been corroborated by independent observers, and neither the Saudi‑led coalition nor Yemen’s internationally recognized government has issued a statement acknowledging the presence of a Saudi cargo plane or confirming the missile’s target.
The incident follows several recent Houthi missile strikes on Aden, which has been a focal point for coalition airpower supporting the Yemeni government. Aden’s strategic location as a major port has made it a recurring target during the protracted conflict.
Yemen has been in turmoil since the Houthis seized Sanaa in late 2014, leading to a coalition intervention in 2015 to back the government. The ongoing escalation poses risks to civilian infrastructure and continues to complicate diplomatic efforts for a lasting resolution.
