Saudi Arabia: several injured in drone attack on Abha airport
Saudi Abha Airport, here on June 12, 2019, was targeted by a double drone attack on August 31, 2021. © AFP
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Eight people were injured on Tuesday, August 31, in a drone attack on Abha international airport in southern Saudi Arabia, said the military coalition led by Riyadh, which intervenes in Yemen against the rebels Shia Houthis.
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"
Eight people were injured and a civilian plane damaged, according to initial reports,
" the military coalition announced, quoted by state television Al-Ekhbariya.
"
A second trapped drone targeting Abha International Airport was intercepted and shot down,
" she added.
A first drone attack against the airport was carried out in the morning, without causing injuries or material damage, according to the coalition.
After this first attack, the flights were temporarily suspended, according to Al-Ekhbariya.
"War
crime
"
The coalition held the Houthis accountable, denouncing a "
war crime
".
But the Shiite rebels have so far not claimed responsibility for the attacks on the airport.
The war in Yemen has
pitted government forces, backed by a Saudi-led military coalition, against the Houthis for the past seven years.
The latter are supported by Iran and control most of northern Yemen, as well as the capital Sana'a.
Worst humanitarian crisis in the world
Yemeni insurgents regularly carry out attacks on Saudi territory.
Riyadh had notably announced in early March that a drone had struck a major oil port and that
a ballistic missile had targeted installations of the oil giant Aramco in the East
.
The war in this country has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions of people.
It is, according to the UN,
the worst humanitarian crisis in the world
.
(with AFP)
►Also read:
Yemen: a new UN envoy to settle a devastating conflict
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