Yemen's internationally recognised government has accused Iran-backed Houthi rebels of targeting Aden International Airport with two missiles. A Yemenia Airlines flight preparing to leave for Cairo had 151 passengers on board at the time.
Meanwhile, in the south-western province of Taiz, the Yemeni army has claimed it has captured a Houthi drone operations team.
151 passengers evacuated safely
Yemen's Transport Minister said a missile fired by the Houthis landed near the airport when Yemenia Flight 612 was on the runway, ready to take off for Cairo. He said the passengers were evacuated safely in time, adding that a huge humanitarian tragedy could otherwise have occurred.
According to the minister, the second missile landed near the other end of the runway. Immediately after the attack, a Fly Aden flight arriving from Cairo was ordered to divert in mid-air to Seiyun airport.
Aden airport a vital link for Yemenis, says minister
Condemning the attack, the minister said Aden International Airport serves not only areas under government control. He said it is an important link for citizens across Yemen, from Al-Mahra to Saada.
He said the airport is essential for Yemenis living abroad, students travelling for higher education and patients going overseas for treatment. Deliberately bringing civilian airports and ordinary passengers into the war zone is a serious violation of international rules, he said.
Army claims capture of Houthi drone team in Taiz
The Yemeni army has claimed it has captured a Houthi drone operations team in Taiz province. According to the army's 35th Armoured Brigade, it caught a special team of Houthi rebels red-handed on the Al-Akroud-Kahlan front, south-east of Taiz. The team's job was to fly and control drones. However, the army has not given any details on the number or identity of those arrested.