RIYADH: Saudi-led Coalition spokesperson, Col. Turki Al-Maliki, said that at 1pm local time on Tuesday, an International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) plane changed course after taking off from Sanaa airport on its way to Djibouti.
Al-Maliki said the air crew responsible for the aircraft changed its course and were forced to deviate from its original route, adding the plane’s course was changed in order to avoid flying over conflict areas.
Al-Maliki said Coalition forces contacted the aircraft through the global emergency frequency. However, the plane’s crew did not respond to the calls, and instructions were given to redirect the aircraft from the operations zone without hesitation.
“They were forced to land at King Abdullah Regional Airport in Jazan at 2:16 p.m. local time,” he added.
Al-Maliki stressed the keenness of the Saudi-led Coalition, which supports the legitimate Yemeni government, in implementing safety measures and said the actions of the aircraft’s crew was a direct contravention to aviation regulations.
“The safety of the air space was jeopardized as well as the safety of the passengers on the flight, of which there were four in total,” he noted.
Al-Maliki also confirmed the Coalition’s concern over the violation of aviation regulations and said the actions were being taken to ensure the “safety of the air space, as well as the crew and humanitarian workers on board the flight.”
ICRC plane ‘jeopardizes air space and passengers’ in Yemen airspace
ICRC plane ‘jeopardizes air space and passengers’ in Yemen airspace
