Yemeni Army Claims 700 Operations as Houthi Missiles Hit Aden and Saudi Arabia

Combat between Yemen’s internationally recognized government and Houthi forces has intensified, resulting in simultaneous missile strikes on Saudi Arabia and the port city of Aden. The escalation follows the collapse of a fragile ceasefire in July, with both sides now trading long-range fire and ground engagements across the country.

Yemeni Transport Ministry officials stated on Saturday that two ballistic missiles targeted Aden International Airport. This marked the fourth such attack on the facility in the current month. The ministry warned that the strikes endanger civil aviation and impact citizens who rely on the airport for travel. Yemeni authorities also reported hits on the coastguard headquarters and another building, while the Houthis claimed responsibility for striking the al-Nasr camp and a naval military base.

Saudi Arabia’s civil defence agency confirmed that the Houthis launched two ballistic missiles toward Mecca and Medina. The agency warned of falling shrapnel after intercepting the projectiles. Images from the Saudi Press Agency showed a large, blackened missile-shaped object landing within Saudi territory. Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, described the attacks as a blatant disregard for civilian security in a statement shared on Saturday.

Houthi leaders disputed the targeting of the two holiest cities in Islam. They labeled the claim a huge lie and stated that their intended targets were three Saudi airports, oil infrastructure, and an airbase. In a separate incident on Friday, Yemen’s army reported that a malfunctioning Houthi missile crashed into a family home in Sanaa, killing three people. Al-Masirah TV, run by the Houthis, claimed that Saudi coalition airstrikes killed several civilians in Sanaa and Hodeidah, a claim Riyadh has not yet formally addressed.

Colonel Majed Abdullah al-Nazili, a Yemeni army spokesman, said government forces conducted more than 700 targeting operations over the previous 24 hours. He claimed these actions neutralized 300 Houthi fighters and disabled military vehicles, though independent verification of the figures was not available. The operations focused on field command centers, weapons depots, and supply lines.

Al-Nazili noted that the fighting concentrated in Taiz, a region where clashes have persisted for days. The Houthi group has consistently used long-range strikes to pressure Saudi energy infrastructure and airports since the ceasefire ended. These sustained attacks have become a defining feature of the current phase of the conflict.

The military spokesman added that the 700 operations included strikes on Houthi gatherings and logistics hubs. The group continues to battle government troops for control of key areas along Yemen’s front lines, with the Aden airport strikes adding a new layer of pressure on the seat of the recognized government.