Saudi Arabia: Three Injured in Attacks on Airports Near Yemen Border
Theo Al Jazeera English
Saudi Arabia's civil aviation authority says Houthi attacks on Jazan and Najran airports injured three people and caused material damage. The strikes came as fighting in Yemen escalates, with the Saudi-led coalition conducting air operations and government-aligned forces claiming control of Mocha and the Bab al-Mandeb strait.
Saudi Arabia said three people were wounded in attacks targeting two airports near the Yemeni border. According to the kingdom's General Authority of Civil Aviation, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Airport in Jazan and Najran Airport were hit on Monday evening.
In a statement on Tuesday, the authority said the attacks caused "three minor injuries and material damage." Earlier, the Houthi movement in Yemen – also known as Ansar Allah – claimed late on Monday that it had targeted multiple sites in southern Saudi Arabia, including airports and military bases.
According to the Saudi civil aviation authority, the attacks left several people injured to varying degrees and caused material damage; the wounded were taken to hospital. The authority said specialist teams responded immediately and added that it would continue to assess the damage and roll out measures to protect passengers and staff.
Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Jassim al-Budaiwi called the attacks on airports and civilian facilities a "dangerous escalation" and urged the international community to take a "firm stance" against such actions. Kuwait's Foreign Ministry also condemned the Iran-backed group, accusing it of targeting civilians and economic facilities.
Fighting escalates
The attacks on Saudi airports come amid escalating fighting in Yemen, where forces loyal to the internationally recognised government, backed by Saudi Arabia, are battling the Houthis.
The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said early on Tuesday it had destroyed a ballistic missile launcher in the capital Sanaa – held by the Houthis since 2014 – and a facility housing 20 ballistic missiles in Saada, according to the official Saudi Press Agency.
The announcement came after forces allied with the Yemeni government launched a counteroffensive to retake territory seized by the Houthis last month. Those forces said they had regained control of the Red Sea port city of Mocha and now hold the strategic Bab al-Mandeb strait.
The Saudi-led coalition confirmed its participation in the Yemeni government's campaign, saying 100 fighter jets were providing air support. The Saudi navy also launched an operation against the Houthis in Hodeidah province.
Fernando Carvajal, a former United Nations Security Council adviser on Yemen, said Mocha would be pivotal in the next phase of the clashes. According to him, government forces will have to prove they can hold the city – which is "surrounded by the Houthis on three sides" – before using it as a staging ground.
Meanwhile, Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia agreed to activate "deterrence measures" under a joint defence treaty and to rapidly deploy forces to the kingdom in response to Houthi attacks. Saudi Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman said the committee had agreed to activate collective deterrence measures, reaffirming the countries' solidarity in responding to attacks on the kingdom and its holy sites.
Carvajal said it remained unclear how these countries would actually provide support, adding that Pakistan might seek to mediate between the parties, but the Houthis most likely want to negotiate only with Saudi Arabia, leaving the Yemeni government sidelined.
