Iraq condemns Aden bombing in Yemen, affirms stance with international community against terrorism

The attack highlighted the difficulties facing the two conflicting sides with the government, which Saudi Arabia intends to unite in the war against the Iran-aligned Houthi movement.
People walk on the tarmac as dust and smoke rise after explosions hit Aden airport, upon the arrival of the newly-formed Yemeni government, Dec. 30, 2020. (Photo: Reuters/Fawaz Salman)
People walk on the tarmac as dust and smoke rise after explosions hit Aden airport, upon the arrival of the newly-formed Yemeni government, Dec. 30, 2020. (Photo: Reuters/Fawaz Salman)

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Iraqi Foreign Ministry on Thursday condemned the bombing that targeted the Yemeni airport in Aden a day before, which left dozens dead and wounded.

The explosions took place at Aden airport, shortly after a plane carrying members of the new government landed in the country on Wednesday, killing at least 22 people and wounding dozens.

The attack highlighted the difficulties facing the two conflicting sides with the government, which Saudi Arabia intends to unite in the war against the Iran-aligned Houthi movement. Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik wrote on his Twitter account, saying that all members of the government were “fine.”

“Iraq strongly condemns the bombing that took place at Aden airport in Yemen, which killed many people and injured others,” the Iraqi Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

No side claimed responsibility but press reports and officials in the internationally-recognized Yemeni government blamed the Iranian-backed Houthi group.

“We offer our condolences to brotherly Yemen, and we affirm Iraq’s position on rejecting terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and it is standing with the international community in confronting terrorism,” the Iraqi Foreign Ministry added in its statement.

The UN special envoy to Yemen, Martin Griffiths, and several Arab countries condemned the attack, perceiving it as an attempt to prolong the devastating conflict that has left millions of Yemenis on the brink of starvation.

The internationally-recognized Yemeni government had previously left Aden after the Southern Transitional Council took control of the city amid bloody clashes in the summer of 2019.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany