Egypt condemns Houthis' drone attacks on Saudi airports

CAIRO – 16 June 2019: Egyptian Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the multiple drone attacks of Houthi militias in Yemen on the Saudi airports of Jizan and Abha in southern Saudi Arabia on Saturday.

In a statement, the ministry also denounced the reported ballistic missile attack, which was intercepted by the Saudi air defense, according to Saudi Al-Arabiya.

"Egypt reaffirms its full support for the government and people of the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the face of such brutal attacks and attempts to undermine its security and stability," the ministry said.

It also stressed that such actions which "target civilians and civilian establishments constitutes a flagrant violation of international laws and norms," calling for addressing these actions by all means, and urging the international community to shoulder responsibility in this regard.

The statement also affirmed Egypt's support to all measures taken by Saudi Arabia to deter such terrorist attacks and ensure the protection of civilians.

Houthis' Al-Masirah TV said on Saturday that the group targeted the control room of Jizan airport and a fuel station at Abha airport, through multiple drone attacks, allegedly leaving the two airports out of service.

“The two airports are now out of service. We promise the Saudi regime more painful days as long as the aggression and siege continue on our country,” the group’s armed forces spokesman said in a tweet published by Al-Masirah TV’s account.

The Saudi-led coalition said in a statement that it had intercepted and downed a Houthi drone targeting the southwestern city of Abha, Reuters reported.