Day 232 | Houthi missiles land 500 meters from passenger plane in Aden airport
Yemeni Minister of Information Moammar Al-Eryani announced that a disaster was narrowly avoided at Aden International Airport after two missiles launched by Houthi forces landed approximately 500 meters from a commercial airliner preparing for takeoff.
The target of the strike was Yemenia Airlines flight number IY 612, bound for Cairo International Airport, which was positioning on the tarmac at the time of the attack.
According to official statements, the two missiles impacted roughly 500 meters from the aircraft and about 100 meters from the center of the airport's main runway.
Al-Eryani stated that divine providence prevented what could have been a horrific humanitarian disaster that risked the lives of dozens of innocent passengers and crew members aboard the flight.
In his statement, Al-Eryani characterized the attack not merely as an assault on a civilian facility, but as a direct threat to civil aviation safety and a flagrant violation of international laws and norms.
He stressed that Aden International Airport serves as a vital humanitarian gateway for thousands of Yemenis daily, including medical patients seeking treatment abroad, students, returning expatriates, and workers relying on the airport to connect with the outside world.
Saudi-led coalition says it destroyed two ballistic missile launch platforms in Yemen's Saada
The Saudi-led coalition announced that it had destroyed two platforms used to launch ballistic missiles in Yemen’s Saada governorate. The coalition did not provide further details about the operation.
The operation comes as the Saudi-led coalition steps up strikes on Houthi military infrastructure following a series of deadly missile and drone attacks on Saudi airports and other infrastructure. The coalition has vowed to continue targeting missile launch platforms and weapons depots after attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh led to around 20 deaths as well as hundreds of injuries.
Overnight emergency alerts sound in two Saudi cities before all-clear announcement
Saudi Arabia’s National Early Warning Platform issued emergency alerts in the cities of Abha and Khamis Mushait overnight, warning residents of potential danger before later announcing that the threat had passed in both locations.
The platform issued separate warnings for Khamis Mushait Governorate and Abha City, urging residents to follow safety instructions.
Saudi Civil Defense subsequently confirmed that the danger had passed in both areas, while advising residents to continue following its instructions and avoid gathering or filming at the affected locations.
The authorities also urged people to contact Civil Defense at 998 in case of an emergency.
Iran denies involvement in Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia
- Iran says the Houthis are acting according to their own military assessments and interests.
- Tehran reiterates its offer to mediate an end to the fighting.
- The denial comes amid escalating Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and renewed fighting in Yemen.
Iran on Friday denied any involvement in the attacks carried out by Yemen’s Houthi movement against Saudi Arabia, rejecting allegations linking Tehran to the operations.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the claims were unfounded, stressing that Yemeni forces were acting based on their own assessments on the ground and their interests. He also reiterated Tehran’s readiness to offer mediation and good offices to help bring the military hostilities to an end.
The statement comes as fighting in Yemen intensifies following the collapse of a previous truce in July. The Houthis have reportedly made advances along Yemen’s western coast and around the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, while announcing restrictions on maritime and air traffic.
Saudi-led coalition spokesperson Turki al-Maliki said the coalition had intercepted and destroyed three drones and two cruise missiles, as well as intercepted a ballistic missile launched toward Yanbu. The interceptions came hours after Saudi civil defense authorities issued an early warning alert for the area.
Separately, Houthi forces targeted the vicinity of Aden International Airport and Badr military camp, following a missile attack on the Maashiq presidential palace in Aden that killed five people and wounded 16, according to the report.
The UN Security Council condemned the escalating attacks and threats to navigation in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, specifically highlighting the attack on Riyadh airport.
Meanwhile, humanitarian organizations have warned that renewed fighting is worsening displacement in Yemen, with more than 200,000 people reportedly displaced since hostilities resumed.
Read more: Saudi diplomat says Houthis turned down a meeting with Saudi Arabia in Oman
Multiple countries warn against travel to Saudi Arabia amid Houthi strikes
- Australia raised its advice to “Do not travel,” its highest level.
- Britain and Canada advise against all but non-essential travel, with tougher warnings for specific regions.
- South Korea raised its advisory to Level 3 and urged nationals to leave.
- New Zealand advises against travel to Saudi Arabia, and France advises against non-essential travel.
Governments around the world sharply escalated their travel warnings for Saudi Arabia this week, after a missile attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport left a heavy casualty toll and Yemen’s Houthi movement threatened further strikes across the kingdom.
Australia: “Do not travel”
Australia’s embassy, which also covers Bahrain, Oman and Yemen, raised its advice on 16 October to “Do not travel,” citing the volatile security situation. Australians were told to postpone all planned travel, including trips for religious purposes.
Those already in the kingdom who wish to leave were urged to do so “while commercial options remain available.” Anyone staying should be prepared to shelter in place at short notice, with enough food, water and essential supplies.
Canberra advised against travelling to King Khalid International Airport and urged extreme caution at all other airports, noting that the Houthis have threatened Saudi airports and airspace. Air travel is significantly disrupted nationwide, with regular airspace closures, cancellations and delays. Australians who do fly were advised to reconfirm their flights before leaving for the airport and to minimise their time there. The embassy suggested private car, train or bus journeys to aviation hubs in the UAE and Qatar.
Britain: all but essential travel
The FCDO, updating its guidance on 16 October, now advises against all but essential travel to Saudi Arabia, and continues to advise against all travel within 10km of the Yemen border. It warned that travellers who ignore its advice may find their insurance invalidated.
The FCDO said the Houthis have launched missiles and drones at several Saudi locations since 13 July. It identified a heightened threat to airports, military and defence sites, ports and energy infrastructure in Abha, Jizan, Najran, Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Yanbu, as well as to Red Sea shipping. “Further attacks against airports as well as disruption and cancellations are very likely,” the advisory said. Like Australia, it suggested leaving by land to a neighbouring country and flying from there.
London also flagged the possibility of renewed Iranian attacks. The US and Iran announced a memorandum of understanding on 17 June, but the FCDO called the situation unpredictable. Advice to Britons in the kingdom includes signing up for email alerts, monitoring local and international media, avoiding areas near oil infrastructure and military facilities, and sheltering in a secure structure if warned, since falling debris from interceptions poses the greatest risk.
Canada, South Korea, New Zealand and France
Canada’s advisory, last updated 11 October, tells citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Saudi Arabia. It goes further for specific areas, advising against all travel to the provinces of Asir, Jazan and Najran, to areas within 30km of the Yemen border, and to the Riyadh airport. Ottawa warned that Canadians should prepare contingency plans that do not rely on government assistance to depart, and noted that photographing or sharing images of military sites or damage could bring severe penalties under local law. The British advice similarly urges people to avoid capturing or sharing images of conflict-related incidents.
South Korea raised its advisory for the whole of Saudi Arabia to Level 3, the second-highest on its four-tier scale, which recommends that citizens leave. The measure took effect at 10 p.m. Sunday. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun chaired a meeting with officials from 15 South Korean missions across the Middle East, calling on them to monitor rapidly shifting developments and energy supply conditions and to prepare for all scenarios.
New Zealand has told its citizens not to travel to Saudi Arabia, while France advises avoiding non-essential travel.
What travelers should do
Across the advisories, the guidance is consistent, and it includes postponing planned trips, including pilgrimage, reconfirming flights before heading to the airport, and minimising time there, considering land exits to the UAE or Qatar, keeping passports and travel documents current and avoiding photographing or sharing images of attacks or military sites.
With airspace closures and cancellations expected to continue, and governments warning that conditions could worsen with little notice, officials are urging foreign nationals to decide quickly whether to stay or go.
Read more: Japan advises against non-essential travel to Saudi Arabia
Trump claims ‘Israel’ has been very helpful to Saudi Arabia
- Trump said ‘Israel’ has been “very helpful” to Saudi Arabia, endorsing the kingdom’s potential acceptance of ‘Israeli’ military assistance against Yemen’s Houthis.
- The remarks come as Saudi Arabia faces escalating Houthi attacks, including a missile strike on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport.
- Haaretz reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking Saudi approval for ‘Israeli’ involvement, despite Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s reported concerns over public backlash.
US President Donald Trump said on Oct. 16 that Saudi Arabia should accept military assistance from ‘Israel’ in its campaign against Yemen’s Houthis, publicly backing potential cooperation between the two countries as the regional conflict intensifies.
Asked whether Saudi Arabia should accept the help ‘Israel’ is offering to fight the Houthis, Trump responded: “Yeah I do, sure. Israel has been very helpful to Saudi Arabia.”
His remarks signal support for a potential expansion of ‘Israeli’ involvement in the campaign, which comes amid escalating Houthi attacks on Saudi territory and growing uncertainty over the extent of US military participation.
The comments also come as Riyadh faces pressure to respond to attacks targeting key infrastructure. A missile strike on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Saturday prompted heightened security concerns and disrupted regional travel, according to the supplied reporting.
The Haaretz report
‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been seeking Saudi Arabia’s approval for ‘Israel’ to join the military campaign against the Houthis, Haaretz reported Monday, citing an unnamed diplomatic source.
According to the report, Netanyahu has pursued the request through US intermediaries, viewing potential cooperation as a way to strengthen ties with Riyadh and advance efforts toward a future normalization agreement.
However, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly opposes direct ‘Israeli’ military involvement, concerned that such a move could provoke a public backlash inside the kingdom.
The reported disagreement highlights the political sensitivities surrounding closer Saudi-‘Israeli’ security cooperation, particularly as the conflict expands and attacks on Saudi territory intensify.
Read more: Trump calls off livestream of Nidal Hasan's execution
