Saudi Arabia Fails to Stop Second Attack on Abha Airport

Saudi Arabia’s US supplied air defence systems failed to stop an aerial attack, the second in two weeks on Abha international airport which led to the death of one person and injuries to 21 others.

Launched by the Houthi rebels in Yemen, the drone fell on the parking lot of the airport on Sunday night. A previous missile attack had led to damage to the arrival hall of the airport leading to the death of 2 and injuries to several. According to the Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV, Houthi rebels used drones to target airports in Abha and Jizan.

“A terrorist attack by the Iranian-backed Houthi militia took place at Abha international airport, through which thousands of civilian passengers pass daily. A Syrian national died and 21 civilians were wounded,” the Saudi-led coalition spokesperson said in a statement carried by Saudi Press Agency. He did not mention the type of weapon used to carry out the attack.

On June 12, at least 26 people were injured when a Houthi missile fired from Yemen hit the same airport. The missile attack has been confirmed by the coalition

After the attack, the coalition vowed a firm response and said the attack proved Tehran’s support for cross-border terrorism. A bombing raid was conducted on a suspected drone and missile storage area in Houthi-controlled part of Yemen last week leading to several deaths.

Saudi air defences have US-supplied Patriot air defence systems meant to shoot down missiles and aircraft besides a number of radar installations to track down aerial threats. On May 20, Saudi Arabia’s air defense forces had shot down two ballistic missiles that the Houthis had launched towards Jeddah and Makkah.