Security Alert
The Houthis, close to Iran, regularly launch drone and missile attacks against the wealthy Saudi kingdom, with Riyadh leading a military coalition since 2015 in Yemen to support government forces against the rebels.
“Twelve civilians of different nationalities were injured at Abha airport (after) the Saudi defense destroyed a drone launched in (its) direction,” said the coalition, quoted by the official agency of the kingdom SPA. Fragments of the drone having “fallen” in the area of the international airport.
“We will take firm operational measures to respond to the threat to civilian airports and travelers,” assured the coalition, adding that traffic had “resumed”.
Regular target
Located in southwestern Saudi Arabia, near the border with largely Houthi-controlled northern Yemen, Abha airport is regularly targeted by rebels, though with few casualties.
In Jazane, a frequently targeted Yemen border region, two people died and seven were injured in late December, in the first deadly attack in Saudi Arabia claimed by Yemeni rebels in more than three years.