Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi group said it carried out a drone attack on Saudi Arabia’s Abha airport on Wednesday which caused a fire in a civilian aircraft.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said four Houthi drones were used in an attack that he said struck Abha airport, in southern Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday afternoon.
Flyadeal Airbus A320 (reg. HZ-FAB) was badly damaged while parked at the airport.
Yemen’s Houthi movement regularly launches drones and missiles into Saudi Arabia, many of which Riyadh says it intercepts. Some have previously hit Abha International Airport which is about 120 km (75 miles) from the border with Yemen.
“The attempt to target Abha airport is a war crime and put civilian travellers’ lives in danger,” the coalition statement said, adding thatthe aircraft was on the ground at the time and that the fire was brought under control.
Sarea said the attack was in response to air strikes and other actions in Yemen by the coalition.
Earlier on Wednesday, the coalition said it had intercepted and destroyed two armed drones launched by the Houthis towards civilians in Saudi Arabia
