Saudi Arabia: Houthis claim second attack on Abha Airport (AHB) June 14 /update 4

Event

Houthi militants in Yemen claimed that its forces targeted Abha International Airport (AHB) in Saudi Arabia for a second time on the morning (local time) of Friday, June 14. According to Houthi-run media, AHB was hit by multiple drones. Saudi officials have not confirmed the attack or any damages. Details are still emerging.

Similar Houthi attacks targeting southern Saudi Arabia are to be expected over the coming weeks.

Context

On Wednesday, June 12, Houthi forces claimed responsibility for a missile attack on AHB that wounded 26 civilians. The Houthis also claimed attacks multiple attacks targeting the King Khalid Air Base, near Khamis Mushait, and King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Airport (JIZ) in Jizan on June 9-10. In May 2019, the group also said that it had hit military targets at airports in Najran and Jizan.

Reports estimate that Houthi militants have fired over 200 missiles at Saudi Arabia since 2015, when Saudi Arabia began backing the Yemeni government against Houthi separatists in the Yemeni Civil War. Southern Saudi Arabia is a frequent target of Houthi missile attacks, and Riyadh has also seen several missile attacks in the last several months; however, they rarely result in many damages or casualties.

Advice

Individuals in the affected area and flying via AHB are advised to monitor developments, contact their airline for more information, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities and their home governments.