Over 40 Killed as Missiles Strike Southern Yemen Air Base

Ballistic missiles hit al-Anad base in Lahj Province

A major attack targeted the al-Anad Air Base in southern Yemen on Sunday, and officials are reporting more than 40 soldiers were killed and nearly 70 others injured. They are blaming the Houthis though it does not appear that there has been a direct claim of responsibility.

Al-Anad is the largest air base in Yemen, and was hit with at least three ballistic missiles. The attack also included two drones with explosives that were reported to have attacked soldiers who were eating breakfast inside the base.

The Houthis are suspected, both because locals reported hearing missile launches from Houthi-held parts of Taiz, and because ballistic missiles and drones are a common tactic for them. The Houthis have long had access to ballistic missiles from the arsenal of pre-war Yemen.

Al-Anad is about 60 km north of Aden, the de facto capital of pro-Saudi Yemen. Pro-Saudi officials complained there are not air defenses in the area of the base, allowing the Houthis to attack.

In addition to comments from the pro-Saudi forces, the South Yemen separatists are threatening retaliation for the bombing.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.