Saudi air defence intercepts 5 Houthi 'bomb-loaded' drones
RIYADH, June 14, 2019
Saudi forces on Friday intercepted five Yemeni rebel drones in the second aerial attack on an airport in the kingdom’s southwest in two days, according to Riyadh-led military coalition fighting the rebels.
The drones targeted Abha airport, where a rebel missile on Wednesday left 26 civilians wounded, and the nearby city of Khamis Mushait, which houses a major airbase, said a spokesman of Arab Coalition in a statement released by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
"Five unmanned drone aircraft were launched by Houthi militia towards Abha international airport and the city of Khamis Mushayt on Thursday night, but the Saudi air defence force and air force successfully intercepted and destroyed them," stated Colonel Turki Al Maliki.
"Air traffic and airspace at Abha International Airport are operating normally, and there is no delay in flights and passenger traffic," he added.
Al Maliki said the Houthi terrorist militia was trying to target civilian facilities in desperate and repeated attempts, without achieving any of their irresponsible and hostile objectives.
"These drones were exposed and dropped. We stress on our legitimate right to take appropriate deterrence measures, with such hostile acts and in conformity with international humanitarian law and its customary rules," he stated.
Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV meanwhile reported that the Iran-aligned rebels had carried out drone attacks on Abha Airport.
A Saudi civil aviation official said authorities were still investigating rebel claims that they fired a cruise missile at the airport.
The rebels, who have faced persistent coalition bombing since March 2015 that has exacted a heavy civilian death toll, have stepped up missile and drone attacks across the border in recent weeks, reported AFP.
Wednesday’s missile strike hit the civil airport in the mountain resort of Abha, which is a popular summer getaway for Saudis seeking escape from the searing heat of Riyadh or Jeddah.
Two passengers who suffered mild injuries recalled pandemonium and screams after a loud explosion triggered a blaze, leaving the lounge covered in smoke.
