Houthis Attack Saudi Arabia’s Abha Airport For The Third Time This Week

Illustrative image, source: the Houthis media wing

On February 13, the Houthis (Ansar Allah) carried out another attack on Abha International Airport in the southern Saudi province of ‘Asir.

In a statement, Brig. Gen. Yahya Sari, a spokesman for the Houthis, said that a “sensitive and important” target in the airport was struck with a Samad-3 suicide drone.

The Samad-3 was revealed during the Martyr Saleh al-Samad Exhibition for Yemeni Military Industries in 2019. The drone has a range of more than 1,500 km.

“The operation which targeted Abha International Airport on Saturday’s noon came in response to the aggression’s [Saudi-led coalition] airstrikes, military escalation and its continuous siege on our people,” the statement reads.

From its side, the Saudi-led coalition claimed that the Houthis’ drone was intercepted by its air-defense means. This is yet to be confirmed.

“Joint Coalition Forces have intercepted and destroyed this morning a bomb-laden drone launched systematically and deliberately by the terrorist Houthi militia to target civilians and civilian objects in Abha International Airport,” the coalition said in a statement.

This was the third attack by the Houthis on Abha International Airport this week. The first attack, which was carried out with four drones, took place on February 10. An airliner was damaged. The second attack, which was carried out with three drones, was on February 12.

The Houthis also targeted King Khalid Air Base twice on February 11 and 12. Moreover, a Saudi combat drone was shot down on February 11.

The recent attacks by the Houthis were a military success. Nevertheless, Saudi Arabia is not backing down. Even the US pressure failed to push the Kingdom towards halting its war on Yemen.

MORE ON THIS TOPIC:

• Military Situation In Yemen On February 13, 2021 (Map Update)
• In Video: Houthis Shot Down Saudi Combat Drone Over Ma’rib With ‘New Missile’