Geneva – October 16, 2026
SAM for Rights and Liberties strongly condemned the missile shelling that targeted the vicinity of Aden International Airport on Friday evening, October 16, 2026, which was attributed to the Houthi group. The organization warned of the grave dangers that targeting civilian airports poses to the lives of passengers and flight crews, as well as to aviation safety.
According to Yemeni Minister of Information Moammar Al-Eryani, two missiles landed approximately 500 meters from a Yemenia Airways aircraft—Flight IY 612 bound for Cairo—as it prepared for takeoff, and roughly 100 meters from the midpoint of the runway.
A statement issued by the Yemeni Ministry of Transport indicated that the first missile struck near the western gate of Aden Airport facing the runway, while the second fell northwest of the airport. This occurred while the Yemenia Airways flight (IYE 612) was on the runway preparing to depart for Cairo—prompting its immediate evacuation—and while another flight operated by Fly Aden (Flight QFF101), arriving from Cairo, was airborne in the approach area. The ministry noted that this was the second attack to target the airport within ten days, warning of the ramifications of such strikes on the safety of passengers, aircrews, and the continuity of civil aviation.
SAM emphasized that targeting civilian airports and endangering aircraft and passengers constitutes a severe threat to civilian lives and may amount to a war crime if it is proven that the attack intentionally targeted civilian objects or committed other grave breaches of international humanitarian law. The organization stressed the necessity of conducting an urgent, independent investigation into the circumstances of the attack, particularly regarding compliance with the principles of distinction, proportionality, and feasible precautions in attack.
The organization called on the Houthi group to immediately halt any attacks targeting civilian facilities or threatening aviation safety. It further urged the international community to take action to protect civilian airports, ensure the safe continuation of humanitarian and commercial flights, and hold accountable those responsible for any substantiated violations.