Loud blasts and gunfire were heard at Aden’s airport shortly after a plane carrying the newly formed Yemeni government arrived from Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, witnesses said.
The cabinet members, including Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik, were transferred safely to the city’s presidential palace, according to witnesses.
“The number of casualties have not been confirmed yet but sources said the explosions were powerful,” Al Jazeera’s Mohammed al-Attab, reporting from Sanaa, said.
Security sources told Reuters news agency that at least five people have been killed and dozens more injured in the attack.
Media correspondent at the scene said he heard two explosions
“At least two explosions were heard as the cabinet members were leaving the aircraft,” the correspondent said.
Saudi state television Ekhbaria showed destroyed vehicles and smashed glass. Plumes of white smoke rose from the scene.
Yemen’s Information Minister Moammar Al-Eryani blamed the attack on the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, adding that all the members of the government were safe.
“We assure our great people that members of the government are fine, and we assure you that the cowardly terrorist attack by the Iran-supported Huthi militia will not deter us from carrying out our patriotic duty,” he said on Twitter.
