The Houthi militia in Yemen has struck the Abha International Airport in Asir Province in the southwestern part of Saudi Arabia with a missile, injuring 26 people inside the airport.
The spokesman for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen, Colonel Turki Almaliki, said that on 02.21 Wednesday morning local time a missile was fired by Houthi militia and struck the arrival hall at Abha International Airport, which accommodates thousands of passengers from various countries every day.
A total of 26 civilian passengers from various countries were injured in the attack, including three women from Yemen, India and Saudi, and two Saudi children, Colonel al-Maliki said, in a statement quoted by Antara from the Saudi News Agency (SPA) here Wednesday.
Eight people were taken to hospital for treatment due to moderate injuries, while 18 others were treated at the airport, suffering from minor injuries.
The attack also caused damage to the airport waiting room.
Colonel Almaliki added that the military and security forces were working to determine the type of missile used in the terror attack.
The Iranian-backed Houthi militia claimed, through its media, full responsibility for the terror attack, saying they had fired a cruise missile.
The statement is a claim of their intention to target civilians and civilian locations, that are subject to special protection under the humanitarian international law.
Thus, this could amount to a war crime of targeting civilians and civilian objects in a systematic manner.
This attack also reflect’s this terrorist militia’s acquisition of new special weapons; the continuation of the Iranian regime's support and practice of cross-border terrorism; and the continued violation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 2216 and Resolution 2231.
Colonel Almaliki stressed that in the face of the Houthi militia’s terrorist attacks, as well as its immoral violations, the Command of Joint Forces of the Coalition will take urgent and timely measures to deter this terrorist militia, and to ensure the protection of civilians and civilian objects.
In addition, terrorist operatives responsible for the planning and execution of this terrorist attack will be held accountable, in accordance with international humanitarian law and its customary rules.
(INE)
Translator: Bambang Purwanto
Editor: Eliswan Azly
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
