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Pro-government forces launch an offensive against Houthi rebel strongholds in a coastal area of Taiz Governorate near Yemen's Bab el-Mandeb Strait on the 6th (local time). Supported by Saudi Arabia, the Yemeni government has begun an offensive to recapture territories held by Houthi rebels, including key strategic locations near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the capital Sanaa. / EPA, Yonhap

Military clashes between Yemeni government forces and the Iran-aligned Houthi rebels are intensifying once again. Following an airstrike on Aden International Airport in the south, a series of aerial attack attempts targeting major Saudi cities have taken place, Reuters reported on the 7th (local time).

The Yemeni Ministry of Transport stated that early that day, Houthi rebels launched an attack aimed at Aden International Airport using ballistic missiles and kamikaze drones.

According to the ministry, a missile struck near the runway just before a passenger flight from Cairo was set to land, prompting authorities to abort the landing and divert the aircraft to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Two aircraft grounded on the tarmac were also moved in an emergency relocation over concerns of being struck.

Aden Airport serves as a vital international gateway for territories controlled by the Yemeni government.

The Saudi-led coalition also announced defense operations in its airspace.

The coalition stated that it intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile fired by Houthi rebels in skies north of the Saudi capital Riyadh, adding that it plans to track and strike the launch origin located in the Yemeni capital Sanaa.

It further noted that a missile heading toward Khamis Mushait in southwestern Saudi Arabia was also intercepted.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree issued a statement claiming to have conducted a drone swarm attack targeting King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.

He also stated that Abha International Airport and the air base in Khamis Mushait were attacked with missiles and drones, though Saudi authorities have not officially confirmed whether those airports were struck.

The latest clashes erupted as Yemeni government forces launched a counteroffensive under air support from the Saudi coalition to recapture the port city of Mokha and areas near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a strategic chokepoint along the Red Sea.

The Yemeni government previously announced that through this operation, it had reclaimed territories lost to the rebels the previous month.

                                                                                                           Lee Jeong-eun