JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s air defense forces shot down five drones launched by Houthi terrorists against targets in the Kingdom’s southern border region of Asir, a spokesman of the Arab Coalition supporting Yemen’s legitimate government said on Friday.
Col. Turki Al-Maliki said the drones were targeted at Abha International Airport and the city of Khamis Mushayt on Thursday night, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
“Air traffic and airspace at Abha International Airport are operating normally, and there is no delay in flights and passenger traffic,” Al-Maliki said. He said: “The Houthi terrorist militia is trying to target civilian facilities in desperate and repeated attempts, without achieving any of their irresponsible and hostile objectives.”
He added: “These drones were exposed and dropped. We stress our legitimate right to take appropriate deterrence measures, with such hostile acts and in conformity with international humanitarian law and its customary rules.”
It was the second drone attack by the Iran-backed Houthis on Khamis Mushayt in four days. Last Monday, Saudi air defense forces shot down two drones launched toward the city.
Meanwhile, the Oman TV News website said on Friday that Muscat was following with “great concern the military escalation” in Yemen’s war as well as the missile strike on Abha airport.
