The Yemeni government demands the United Nations condemn the Houthi attack on Aden Airport.

Yemeni Government Calls on UN to Condemn Houthi Attack on Aden Airport

The Yemeni government, through its permanent representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Abdullah Al-Saadi, submitted an official letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the President of the Security Council for October, Ambassador Aglaia Balta. The letter addressed the terrorist attack launched by the Iranian-backed Houthi militia on Aden International Airport.

In its message, the government demanded condemnation of the crime and accountability for the perpetrators. It also called for the full and effective implementation of the arms embargo against the militia, in accordance with Security Council resolutions.

Details of the Attack and Its Severity

The letter detailed that the Houthi militia targeted the airport on the morning of October 7 with two ballistic missiles and explosive drones. This attack coincided with the approach of a civilian flight for landing, endangering the lives of passengers, crew members, and airport staff. The incident posed a direct threat to the safety of air navigation at a civilian facility serving Yemenis from various provinces.

A Flagrant Violation of International Law

The government emphasized that targeting a civilian airport represents a serious escalation and a blatant violation of international humanitarian law and the rules protecting civil aviation. It noted that this attack aligns with the militia’s ongoing strategy of targeting civilian facilities, including the assault on Aden Airport during the government’s arrival in 2020, attacks on civilian airports in Saudi Arabia, and the disruption of flights through Sana’a Airport, along with the detention of Yemeni aircraft.

Escalating Threat to Air and Maritime Navigation

The government reminded the Security Council of its previous letter dated September 29, which warned of the growing threat to civil aviation safety in the southern Red Sea due to the militia’s use of Iranian-origin weapons and capabilities. It asserted that the attack on Aden Airport signifies a shift from a potential threat to a direct assault on a civilian facility, highlighting the interconnectedness of Houthi threats to air and maritime navigation and regional security.

Calls for Firm International Action

The government urged the implementation of measures to prevent the flow of weapons, components, technology, and military expertise to the militia, in line with Security Council Resolution 2216. It warned that the continued influx of these capabilities undermines the protection of international navigation and increases the risk of incidents with severe consequences.

Additionally, it called for enhanced international cooperation to protect airports, civilian facilities, and flight paths. The government expressed its readiness to collaborate with the United Nations, the Security Council, the International Civil Aviation Organization, and the expert team to share information, assess risks, and prevent the recurrence of such attacks.

Ending the Coup as a Condition for Protecting Yemen and the Region

The government concluded its letter by asserting that addressing these threats requires tackling their root causes. This includes the ongoing control of armed militias over parts of Yemeni territory and their possession of capabilities used against civilians and international navigation. It stressed that ending the coup, restoring state institutions, disarming the militia, and re-establishing government authority over the entire national territory, airspace, coastlines, and ports are essential requirements for safeguarding Yemen’s security and stability, as well as the security of its neighbors and the protection of international navigation.

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