ADEN, Dec 31 (NNN-SABA) – The number of deaths caused by three explosions that struck Aden’s airport in southern Yemen, rose to 22 last night, the country’s Interior Ministry announced.
According to a statement released by the pro-government ministry, based in the southern port city of Aden, 22 people were killed and 50 others wounded in Aden’s airport blasts.
The ministry’s statement indicated that the coordinated blasts targeted local officials and employees, gathered to welcome government members at the airport.
Yemen’s President, Abdu-Rabbu Mansour Hadi accused the Houthi rebel group of being behind the explosions.
The Yemeni president officially directed the formation of a committee from the new power-sharing government, to investigate the repercussions of the attack against the airport.
Hadi chose the newly-appointed Minister of Interior and leaders of the security and intelligence departments, to lead investigation committee in Aden, in coordination with the Saudi Arabia-led coalition.
He also stressed, during his phone call with the country’s Prime Minister, Maeen Abdulmalik, that, “the terrorist acts committed by the Houthi militia and extremist terrorist groups will not discourage the legitimate government from exercising its duties from the temporary capital of Aden.”
Meanwhile, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Yemen, said that, one of its employees died during the airport’s explosions.
The Red Cross branch in Yemen said, “We are profoundly saddened that one of our colleagues was killed in Aden’s airport explosion.”
“Two others are unaccounted for and three were injured. Our staff were transiting through the airport with other civilians. This is a tragic day for us and the people of Yemen,” the Red Cross statement said.
Three massive explosions yesterday struck Aden’s airport, just minutes after the arrival of a new power-sharing government from Saudi Arabia.
Earlier this month, Hadi issued a decree to form a new power-sharing government in Yemen led by Saeed, a move that received regional and international support.
The new government consists of 24 ministerial portfolios, divided equally between the northern and southern provinces in Yemen.
The new Yemeni government was established in accordance with the terms of the Riyadh Peace Agreement, jointly signed in Nov last year, between the Yemeni government and the leaders of the Southern Transitional Council (STC).– NNN-SABA
