2019 Abha International Airport attacks | |
---|---|
Part of the Yemeni Civil War (2014–present) and the Iran–Saudi Arabia proxy conflict | |
Location | |
Target | Abha International Airport |
Date | June 2019 |
Executed by | Houthi movement |
Casualties | one civilian killed 47 civilians injured |
|
The Abha International Airport attacks were cruise missile attacks carried out by the Yemeni Houthi rebels which occurred in June 2019.[1] The attack targeted the arrivals hall of Abha International Airport in southwestern Saudi Arabia and killed one civilian and injured 47 others.[2][3]
The Saudi-led coalition stated that an Iranian made Ya Ali cruise missile had been used in the attack,[1] but Jane's Defence Weekly later reported that a Yemeni made Quds cruise missile may have been used because of its similarity to the fins recovered from the debris.[4]
The first attack occurred on 19 June and wounded 26.[2][3]
Another attack occurred on June 23, killing a Syrian national and wounding 21[5] and yet another two days later on June 25.[6]
According to the Saudi-led Arab coalition spokesman Colonel Turki Al-Maliki, 26 people from different nationalities were injured from the first attack. Eighteen people were treated for minor injuries while eight people were transferred to a hospital.[7]
Days after the first attack, Royal Saudi Air Force conducted multiple air strikes on Houthi forces in Yemen's capital Sana'a in response to the airport attack. According to Saudi state media, the strikes hit air-defence systems and other military positions in the Houthi-controlled city.[8]
Human Rights Watch condemned that attack, stating “unlawful Saudi-led coalition air strikes in Yemen never justify Houthi attacks on Saudi civilians”.[8] HRW described the attack as a 'war crime' urging the Houthis to stop attacks on civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia.[17]