Houthi Militia Fires Two Ballistic Missiles at Bab al-Mandab Airport Under Construction

Yemen’s Houthi militia carried out a new missile attack late Thursday against a civilian infrastructure site in Dhobab District, located on the southern coast of the Red Sea overlooking the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

Military sources within the Yemeni Joint Forces told Erma News that the group fired two short-range ballistic missiles targeting Bab al-Mandab Airport — a facility under the control of Yemen’s internationally recognized government — situated in Dhobab District, southwest of Taiz Governorate.

According to those sources, the two missiles were launched from areas under Houthi control northeast of Al-Husha District in Al-Dhalee Governorate, marking the latest escalation affecting zones adjacent to the strategic maritime strait.

Civilian Status of the Targeted Facility

Colonel Wadah Al-Dubaysh, official spokesperson for the Joint Forces, confirmed that the targeted airport in Dhobab “remains under construction and outfitting” and is “a civilian facility belonging to the Yemeni Ministry of Transport.”

In a post on the X platform, Al-Dubaysh stated the airport “is intended to serve citizens and facilitate movement between Taiz, Aden, Lahj, and Al-Hudaydah governorates,” adding it “has no connection to any military operations.”

Clashes in Al-Birah Front

Meanwhile, the National Resistance Forces operating along Yemen’s western coast reported killing and wounding dozens of Houthi fighters over the past four days during strikes on militia positions and barracks in the Al-Birah front in Taiz Governorate.

The Military Media Office of the National Resistance Forces said the operation focused on sites linked to what the group calls the “14th Samad Brigade” and the command headquarters of the “155th Infantry Brigade,” both Houthi units based in Al-Birah.

The strikes resulted in the deaths of 27 Houthi fighters and injuries to 19 others, including the commanders of both targeted brigades.