Houthi Missiles Hit Aden as US Urges Israeli Aid

Two missiles landed near the airport in Aden, Yemen’s interim capital, as the Houthis said they were targeting a Saudi command centre, police sources reported. The attack came as Saudi Arabia said it had intercepted missiles and drones, while U.S. President Donald Trump urged Riyadh to accept Israeli assistance against the Houthis.

Missiles and intercepts

Saudi Arabia reported destroying a ballistic missile launched toward Yanbu, two cruise missiles over the Red Sea and three unmanned aerial vehicles in southern Saudi Arabia and the Riyadh region. The Saudi-led coalition gave no details about launch sites, damage or injuries from the interceptions. It said it would soon release footage of what it described as Houthi weapons-smuggling operations by sea to Yemen’s Al Hudaydah governorate. The announcement appeared on the Saudi Press Agency’s social media, without further details.

The Gulf News report said King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh remained suspended through October 17. Airports in Jeddah and Dammam were operating, though some flights faced delays and cancellations. The U.S. Mission in Saudi Arabia warned citizens about potential airport attacks, airspace closures and flight disruptions. It urged travellers to check with airlines and airports, follow Saudi security alerts and consider alternative transport.

The U.S. Mission also warned that filming or sharing images of missile interceptions and impact sites could bring legal consequences under Saudi law. Saudi Civil Defence said the danger had passed in Khamis Mushait Governorate. It urged residents to follow instructions, avoid gathering or filming, and call 998 in an emergency. The announcement followed an alert through the National Early Warning Platform.

Claims of Iranian support

The Wall Street Journal reported that many recent Houthi drone and missile attacks on Saudi Arabia used targeting intelligence provided by Iran. Danny Citrinowicz, whom the Jerusalem Post described as a former Israeli official who previously headed the Iran branch for Israeli defense intelligence, called the intelligence connection “very, very strong on the operational level.” He said Iran had a strategic interest in Houthi success because it harms Saudi Arabia and raises oil prices, adding that the relationship was “not based on a client-patron relationship, but rather on strategic cooperation.”

The Times of Israel reported, citing sources familiar with Saudi and Yemeni intelligence, that Tehran had supplied intelligence, training, tactical advice and help targeting missile and drone strikes. It said that support helped the Houthis make rapid territorial gains and carry out increasingly sophisticated attacks. The report said the group controlled Yemen’s coastline along the strategic Bab al-Mandeb Strait and had targeted Saudi tankers, energy infrastructure and airports.

Reports gave different death tolls for strikes in Riyadh. The Times of Israel said an airport strike the previous weekend killed at least 13 people. The Jerusalem Post reported that a Thursday strike on the Saudi presidential palace complex killed five, while a separate strike on King Khalid International Airport killed 17 and injured more than 300. Adam Baron, a Yemen expert and fellow with Washington-based policy institute New America, said recent Houthi gains were “undeniably” based on external Iranian assistance.

Iran has denied involvement. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said, according to Gulf News, “The Islamic Republic of Iran rejects any claim that Iran has played a role in Yemeni (Houthi) operations.” He restated Tehran’s offer to act as a bridge between the Houthis and Riyadh.

US role and regional security

Trump urged Saudi Arabia to accept Israeli assistance, saying Israel had been “very helpful to Saudi Arabia.” Asked whether Riyadh should accept Israel’s offer, he replied: “Yeah, I do, sure.” He also said Saudi Arabia normalising relations with Israel could return to the agenda “maybe more than ever.”

The Gulf News report said the commander of U.S. Central Command reported more than 50,000 U.S. military personnel deployed across the Middle East. CENTCOM also said 400 commercial vessels had passed through the Strait of Hormuz over the past week. Its fact sheet described financial restrictions on Iran and said the strain limited Iran’s ability to fund allied militia groups and attacks against the United States and its allies.

Separately, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said it received a delayed report that an unknown projectile struck a tanker about 68 nautical miles northeast of Al Jubayl, Saudi Arabia, on October 16, around 9 a.m. UTC. All crew members were reported safe and evacuated, and no environmental impact was reported. UKMTO issued a warning on October 17, advising vessels to transit cautiously and report suspicious activity while authorities investigated.