Coalition fighter returns safely to base despite missile attack

RIYADH: A fighter for the Saudi-led Arab coalition was intercepted by a hostile air defense missile launched from Saada airport in Yemen, but managed to return to base safely.
The official spokesman of the Coalition Forces in Yemen, Col. Turki bin Saleh Al-Malki, said that at 15:48 local time on Thursday, the fighter was intercepted by a hostile air defense missile, launched from Saada airport in Yemen. 
Although the fighter managed to complete its mission and deal with the source of fire before returning to base, the incident showed terror groups had got hold of new air defense missiles a “serious development,” Col. Al-Turki said.
He added: “This proves that the Iranian regime, which supports the Houthi terrorist militias, continues to smuggle in specific capacities in clear and explicit defiance of UN resolutions, including resolution 2216.” 
He said that the possession of the new air defense missiles was a direct threat to the air navigation and relief and humanitarian trips.
In January 2018, Royal Saudi Air Defense forces intercepted a ballistic missile over the southern province of Najran, bordering Yemen.
Last year, Houthis launched a missile targeting King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. Royal Saudi Air Defense forces intercepted the missile and shot it down, and there was no damage.
Earlier, Al-Maliki called on the international community to curb Iran’s supply of arms to “terrorists and outlaws” in the region and to hold the Iranian regime accountable for its behavior.
Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir said in his earlier statement that Iran was the biggest source of danger in the region due to its role in Lebanon, Yemen and Syria.
Meanwhile, last year, the Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen intensified attacks on Saudi Arabia, targeting several civilian areas in the Kingdom.
Houthi aggression toward Saudi Arabia caused a global outcry with a number of countries and organizations condemning the launch of ballistic missiles targeting the Kingdom.