Yemenis in Aden prepare for renewed war as missile strikes hit the city

Residents of Yemen's southern city of Aden are taking urgent precautions as a recent wave of missile and drone strikes shatters a four-year period of relative calm. Fearing that the area could once again descend into all-out war, locals are stocking up on basic provisions and preparing vehicles for potential evacuations.

Over the past month, the Houthis have claimed responsibility for attacks on multiple locations across Aden, targeting the international airport, the port, military camps, and the presidential palace. The resurgence of hostilities follows a major Houthi offensive launched in September to seize government-held districts in western Yemen, including parts of Hodeidah and Taiz provinces, the port city of Mocha, and the strategic Bab al-Mandeb strait.

For local inhabitants, the military escalation brings back memories of the severe destruction the city faced in 2015. Citizens have reported disruptions to daily life, with families limiting movement after dark and keeping children away from windows during explosions. The city's busiest aviation hub, the Aden international airport, has experienced repeated disruptions, forcing airlines to cancel, delay, or divert flights and taking a heavy psychological toll on families living nearby.

Residents in Aden stockpile food and map escape routes as Houthi missile strikes escalate.

In workplaces and neighborhoods, residents are actively discussing contingency plans. Some families are sending vulnerable relatives, including children and elderly members, to nearby provinces like Lahj and Abyan, or preparing to travel toward Shabwa and Hadramout if the security situation deteriorates further. Citizens have also formed communication groups to check on one another following explosions, while academics note that the strikes compound ongoing issues of lawlessness and insecurity in the region.

Why it matters

The escalation in Aden directly impacts the safety and stability of thousands of displaced civilians who sought refuge in the southern hub. As vital civilian infrastructure comes under fire and supply lines face potential disruptions, the risk of soaring prices and humanitarian distress grows for the local population.