Eight injured in drone attack on Saudi Arabia’s Abha airport

RIYADH: At least eight people sustained injuries and a civilian plane was damaged on Tuesday after a drone attack on Saudi Arabia’s Abha International Airport, as per media reports.

According to the Saudi-led Arab coalition, Saudi Arabia’s defence forces intercepted and destroyed an explosive-laden drone targeting the airport without causing any casualties.

The initial report indicated that a passenger plane was damaged, a statement from the coalition said, alleging that the strike was the second drone attack by Houthis in 24 hours.

The incident was the latest assault on the kingdom amid its grinding war in neighbouring Yemen. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.

Reportedly, the injuries were caused by shrapnel or fragments from the drone when it was being destroyed.

Meanwhile, Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Dr Yousef bin Ahmed Al Othaimeen strongly condemned the Houthi militia’s attempt to attack Abha Airport, stressing that endangering passengers and civilians’ lives is a terrorist act and a war crime.
The secretary-general also utterly condemned the Houthi militia’s launch of a ballistic missile toward Najran City, commending, at the same time, the Saudi Air Defence Forces’ efficiency and skills in intercepting and destroying the missile before reaching its target.

In February, another drone attack by the Houthis on Abha airport resulted in a civilian plane catching fire, although there were no reports of any injuries.

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