Houthi militants launched coordinated attacks on airports in Saudi Arabia's Jizan and Najran regions on Monday evening, resulting in minor injuries and material damage. The attacks, which targeted King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Jizan and Najran International Airport, represent a significant escalation in threats against vital infrastructure and air traffic in the Kingdom.
The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) in Saudi Arabia announced on Tuesday that the assaults caused three minor injuries and damage to airport facilities. Emergency teams and relevant authorities immediately responded to the incidents, implementing established protocols. The GACA stated it is working with security agencies to assess the damage and implement necessary measures to ensure the safety of passengers and staff, as well as maintain the security of the civil aviation system in the Kingdom.
The Saudi announcement followed a claim of responsibility by the Houthi militia. The group's military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, declared that two operations were carried out using ballistic missiles, targeting what he described as "gatherings" at the Al-Dagarir camp in Jizan and the airport in Abha. Saree issued further threats, warning international airlines against operating flights in Saudi airspace, which the group now considers a "theater for its military operations."
The targeting of airports and threats against airlines underscore the expanding risks associated with Houthi escalation. The repercussions of these attacks extend beyond military objectives to civilian facilities, passenger movement, and commercial aviation, posing a broader threat to regional stability.
In response, the Arab Parliament on Tuesday strongly condemned the aggressions perpetrated by the Iranian-backed Houthi militia against the Jizan and Najran airports. Mohammed bin Ahmed Al-Lawhi, Speaker of the Arab Parliament, stated that the parliament denounces these continued attacks against Saudi Arabia, emphasizing that targeting civilian cities and infrastructure violates international law and threatens regional security and stability. Al-Lawhi reaffirmed the Arab Parliament's full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its support for the measures taken to protect its security and the safety of its citizens and residents.
The Arab Parliament urged the international community to uphold its responsibilities regarding Houthi aggressions, hold perpetrators accountable, and support efforts to establish security and stability in the region. The Speaker reiterated that the security of Saudi Arabia is an "inseparable part of the Arab national security system as a whole."
