Bahrain condemns drone attack on Abha airport

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain yesterday strongly condemned the launch of an explosive-laden drone towards Abha International Airport in Saudi Arabia by the terrorist Houthi militia.

Twelve people were injured at the airport when shrapnel from the drone intercepted by the Saudi Air defences hit people.

Shrapnel from the drone interception at midday fell inside airport grounds and some glass facades were damaged, a coalition statement carried by state media said.

Light injuries were sustained by two Saudi nationals and citizens of Bangladesh, Nepal, India, the Philippines and Sri Lanka.

Soon after the incident air traffic operations at the civilian airport returned to normal after standard safety procedures were carried out, the coalition said in statements carried by state media.

Bahrain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, terming the attack a “sinful terrorist act”, said it is a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law.

The statement said the Kingdom stand with the Kingdom and support all the measures it takes to maintain the security and safety of its citizens and residents.

Bahrain praised the efficiency and vigilance of the coalition forces for intercepting and destroying the drone in timely action.

The Kingdom also called for concerted efforts to put these treacherous acts aimed at destabilising the security and stability of the region.

The coalition has been fighting the Houthis since early 2015 after the group ousted Yemen’s internationally recognised government from power in the capital Sanaa.

The Houthis often launch attacks on Abha airport, which lies close to the Yemeni border in Saudi Arabia’s south, and other parts of the country with drones and missiles.

Most attacks are intercepted but a few people have been killed and several injured. The Arab Coalition including Saudi Arabia and the UAE intervened in 2015.

The coalition yesterday said it would take measures to neutralize the source of threats to civilians following international humanitarian law.