ADEN, Yemen, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Three ballistic missiles struck the southern Yemeni port city of Aden on Friday night, triggering powerful explosions across the city, a local security official and residents told Xinhua.
Aden's security administration said in a statement posted on social media platform X that two missiles launched by the Houthi group landed inside the grounds of Aden International Airport, with preliminary information indicating no casualties.
The statement said the missile strikes posed a serious threat to civilian facilities and air traffic, particularly with international flights operating and passengers present in departure and arrival halls.
Shortly after the attack, Houthi-run al-Masirah TV cited a military leader within the group as saying that the group had targeted "the headquarters of Saudi forces and weapons depots" at Badr military camp near Aden International Airport.
A local security official earlier told Xinhua that two missiles had landed near Aden International Airport, while a third struck a military base near the headquarters of the Saudi-led coalition forces in Al Buraiqa district in western Aden.
Three powerful explosions rocked the city during the attack, a Xinhua reporter on the ground and local residents said. Ambulances were seen heading toward the affected areas.
Friday's attack came a day after missiles struck the Al-Ma'ashiq Presidential Palace compound in Aden, the temporary seat of the internationally recognized Yemeni government, killing five people and wounding 16 others, according to the government.
A local security official told Xinhua Thursday that five missiles hit the palace compound, while another targeted the headquarters of the Saudi-led coalition forces. The Houthi group later claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it had targeted a "Saudi military operations headquarters" inside the presidential palace compound.
The repeated attacks come amid an escalating exchange of strikes between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia, with the group launching missiles and drones deep into the kingdom and targeting Yemeni government forces backed by the coalition.
Yemen has been mired in conflict since late 2014, when the Houthis seized the capital Sanaa and much of northern Yemen, forcing the government out of the capital. ■
