Yemeni Government: Houthi Attacks on Aden and Mecca Threaten Regional Security and Islamic Holy Sites

The Yemeni government stated that the renewed Houthi attacks on the Ma'ashiq Palace and Aden International Airport, coinciding with an attempt to target Mecca, reflect an escalation that goes beyond targeting state institutions and civilian facilities to threatening the region's security and stability, and violating the sanctity of Islamic holy sites.

A statement issued by the Council of Ministers on Friday clarified that the Iran-backed Houthi group targeted the Ma'ashiq Palace for the second time and Aden International Airport for the seventh time. It considered the repeated attacks on the airport, a vital civilian facility connecting Yemen to the world, an assault on citizens' interests and an attempt to disrupt public institutions and undermine the state's ability to perform its duties.

The statement affirmed that targeting the Ma'ashiq Palace, which houses the government headquarters and state institutions in the temporary capital of Aden, will not deter the government from continuing its responsibilities, nor will it achieve the group's goal of disrupting state institutions or imposing a reality by force.

It noted that the government views these attacks as a direct threat to state authority, citizen safety, and the continuity of vital services and facilities. It stressed the need to take practical measures to protect facilities, raise security readiness, enhance coordination between relevant agencies, and ensure the continued operation of civil institutions and utilities.

The government emphasized that securing the temporary capital, Aden, and protecting citizens and public facilities is a national responsibility. It affirmed its commitment to continuing its duties and strengthening the presence of state institutions, in coordination with the Presidential Leadership Council, local authorities, and military and security agencies.

Regarding the attempted targeting of Mecca, the government expressed its full solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in confronting threats to its security. It considered that the timing of the attacks places a responsibility on the international community to act against what it described as a threat to regional security, air navigation, civilian facilities, and a violation of Islamic holy sites.

The government called on the international community to take a practical stance commensurate with the seriousness of these threats, to prevent their continuation, and to ensure that those responsible do not escape accountability.

At the conclusion of its statement, it reiterated its commitment to restoring state institutions and ending the coup, while protecting citizens and their resources, stressing that the attacks will not disrupt the work of state institutions or strip Aden of its role.