Saudi forces destroy another armed drone launched towards Abha airport

Saudi forces intercepted and destroyed another armed a drone fired from Yemen targeting the Abha International Airport on Saturday, days after an attack on the airport.

Brigadier general Turki Al-Malki, spokesperson of the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen said: “Joint coalition forces have intercepted and destroyed this morning (Saturday) a bomb-laden UAV launched systematically and deliberately by the terrorist Houthi militia to target civilians and civilian objects in Abha International Airport.”

The attack at Abha International Airport on Wednesday, February 10, resulted in a civilian plane catching fire, although there were no reports of any injuries.

“We are taking the necessary measures to protect civilians from the threats of the Houthis,” Al-Malki said at the time.

Read: Saudi Arabia’s Abha airport attacked; civilian plane catches fire

The Abha airport also faced another drone attack in 2019, which killed one person and left nine civilians injured.

Read: Houthi drone attack on Saudi Arabia’s Abha Airport leaves nine injured

The latest attack has drawn strong criticism from the GCC secretary general Dr Nayef Falah Mubarak Al-Hajraf, who  said the Houthi militias were “committing terrorist acts in a systematic and deliberate manner to target civilian objects in Saudi Arabia”.

He stressed that the attacks represent a “flagrant violation of the international norms and laws”  and called for those behind it to be held accountable.

Meanwhile the secretary general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Dr Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen also condemned the attack, and said the OIC supports all the measures taken by the coalition to deal with the hostile actions of the Houthis.

The Bahraini Ministry of Foreign Affairs also reiterated its support to the kingdom for its measures to counter “these serious terrorist acts” and anyone who tries to destabilise its security and stability.