The Houthi armed forces said Monday evening they struck Abha International Airport in southwestern Saudi Arabia with ballistic missiles and drones, in retaliation for a Saudi airstrike earlier today on Sanaa International Airport. The group also warned all airlines to avoid flying over Saudi airspace until the siege on Sanaa is lifted, according to a statement.
The Houthi armed forces confirmed Monday evening that they attacked Abha International Airport in southwestern Saudi Arabia with ballistic missiles and drones, in retaliation for a Saudi airstrike earlier today on Sanaa International Airport. The group also warned all airlines to avoid flying over Saudi airspace until the siege on Sanaa is lifted, calling Riyadh responsible for the consequences.
The official confirmation caps a rapidly unfolding sequence of reports. At 19:51 Jerusalem, initial reports of explosions in Saudi Arabia emerged, followed by identification of the Houthi attack, then specification of Abha International Airport as the target, and reports that six missiles were launched. Additional reports indicated a second wave of missiles and drones. The attack was consistently described as retaliation for the Saudi airstrike on Sanaa airport earlier Monday. The Zioneer reported earlier that a Saudi airstrike hit Sanaa International Airport, with Yemeni sources suggesting the use of Storm Shadow missiles, and that an Iranian aircraft was diverted to Hodeidah after the runway was struck. The anti-Houthi Yemeni defense ministry had also issued an evacuation warning for the Sanaa airport area.
The Houthi statement is the first time the group has officially confirmed a direct attack on a Saudi airport in this round of escalation. The warning to airlines to avoid Saudi airspace raises the risk of a broader disruption to regional aviation. The Houthi foreign ministry had warned Saudi Arabia on Sunday night that disrupting Sanaa airport operations would have consequences, as The Zioneer reported. On Friday, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree warned that the group would strike Saudi airports if the blockade continued.
As of this report, the Saudi military has not commented on the Houthi claims. The extent of damage at Abha airport and any casualties remain unreported. The status of the warning to airlines and its impact on aviation is not yet known.
9 developments
- StrongHouthi spokesman warns Saudi airports targeted if blockade continues
- StrongSaudi fighter jets reportedly strike Houthi positions near Bab el-Mandeb
- DevelopingHouthi foreign ministry warns Saudi Arabia: disrupting Sanaa airport will have consequences
- StrongNew footage of Saudi airstrike on Sanaa airport emerges; Yemeni sources suggest Storm Shadow missiles used
Source and signal
- Internal intake