Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels stated that they attacked Saudi military positions in the southern port city of Aden on the 21st local time.

Yahya Saree, the military spokesperson for the Houthis, released a statement claiming that they "successfully hit the operational command room of the Saudi enemy forces at the Badr Camp in Aden using ballistic missiles."

Earlier, a police official in Aden, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told AFP that the explosion was "caused by Houthi missiles."

Two other security sources in Aden also confirmed that the attack targeted facilities near the airport belonging to the Saudi-led military coalition, which has been fighting against the Houthi rebels.

Smoke was seen billowing near Aden Airport following the Houthi attack.

The attack marks the third strike this week targeting Aden, which serves as the provisional capital and core stronghold of the Saudi-backed Yemeni government.

On the 16th, two missiles fired by the Houthi rebels landed inside the Aden Airport area.

Additionally, on the 15th, the Houthi rebels launched a lethal missile attack targeting the presidential palace in Aden, hitting command and control centers inside the Al-Maasheeq presidential complex used by the Yemeni government forces and the Saudi-led coalition.

Last July, the Houthi rebels defied Saudi control over Yemeni airspace by allowing an Iranian aircraft to land at Sana'a Airport.

At the time, several missiles fell near the airport, and the Houthis blamed Saudi Arabia for the airstrikes, declaring the end of a truce established in 2022.

Since then, the Houthi rebels declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia, began attacking Saudi vessels, territory, and oil facilities, and seized government-controlled areas in Yemen along the Red Sea coast through swift military operations.

In response, the Saudi air force has also been regularly carrying out airstrikes against the Houthi rebels to support the Yemeni government.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)