Catastrophic blasts rock al-Anad military installation in southern Yemen
In the evening of July 24, 2025, a massive explosion rocked the Al-Anad military base in Yemen's Lahj province, approximately 60 kilometers north of Aden [1][2][3]. The blast was caused by the detonation of munitions in a weapons depot within the base.
The incident took place at one of Yemen's largest and most strategically important military airbases. Despite the intensity of the explosions, the Yemeni southern forces spokesman Mohamed al-Naqeeb reported no human casualties or material losses [2][3]. An investigation into the cause of the explosion is currently underway.
The Al-Anad Air Base, a central hub for the Yemeni Air Force, has historically been targeted by the Houthi militant group amid Yemen's ongoing conflict since 2014 [1]. However, the cause of the recent explosion remains unclear, with no official statement confirming whether it was due to an attack or an accident.
The base, which features runways for fighter jets, training facilities, and maintenance infrastructure, has significant military and tactical importance due to its strategic location along the main route linking Aden to northern provinces [1][3].
The full extent of the damage from the explosions remains unclear. In the past, the base has been the target of multiple attacks, including a high-profile drone strike in 2019 that resulted in the death and injury of senior military officials [4].
Despite the ongoing tensions in Yemen, the recent explosion appears to be a significant explosion of stored ammunition rather than a direct assault causing fatalities or structural damage beyond munitions destruction within the base [1][2][3]. As of now, the incident seems to be isolated to the base's munitions depot.
| Aspect | Details | |----------------------|------------------------------------------------| | Date | Evening of July 24, 2025 | | Location | Al-Anad military base, Lahj province, Yemen | | Cause | Detonation of munitions in weapons depot | | Casualties | None reported | | Extent of Damage | No material losses confirmed | | Context | Key military base for Yemen's government forces; prior attacks from Houthi group |
[1] Al Jazeera. (2025, July 24). Massive explosion rocks Yemen's Al-Anad military base. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/24/massive-explosion-rocks-yemen-s-al-anad-military-base
[2] Reuters. (2025, July 24). Explosion at Yemen's Al-Anad military base leaves no casualties, Yemeni official says. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/explosion-yemens-al-anad-military-base-leaves-no-casualties-yemeni-official-says-2025-07-24/
[3] Associated Press. (2025, July 24). Explosion at Yemen's Al-Anad military base leaves no casualties, Yemeni official says. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/explosion-yemen-military-base-a9e2c2034520f2c5811348c94e686d76
[4] BBC News. (2019, August 7). Yemen: Drone strikes kill senior military officials in south. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-49368919
- The news of a massive explosion that rocked the Al-Anad military base in Yemen's Lahj province on the evening of July 24, 2025, has been making headlines in general-news outlets.
- The recent explosion at the Al-Anad Air Base, a central hub for the Yemeni Air Force, has raised questions about the ongoing war-and-conflicts in the region, as the cause of the explosion remains unclear.
- In the realm of history, the Al-Anad Air Base has been a frequent target of attacks since Yemen's ongoing conflict began in 2014, notably including a high-profile drone strike in 2019.
- Despite the blast causing by the detonation of munitions in a weapons depot within the base showing no human casualties or material losses, business analysts are still monitoring the situation closely, as the full extent of the damage is still unknown.
