Turkey condemns missile attack on Saudi Arabian airport

By Sena Guler

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey on Wednesday condemned a missile attack on a Saudi Arabia airport, which left many injured.

“We condemn the missile attack carried out against the Abha Airport of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on 12 June 2019 which resulted in many injuries,” said Turkish Foreign Ministry in a statement, and wished speedy recovery to the wounded.

“It is imperative to refrain from any kind of violence and provocation which may harm the ongoing UN-led efforts towards finding a political solution to the crisis in Yemen,” it added.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Saudi-led coalition confirmed an attack by Yemeni Houthi rebels on Abha Airport in southern Saudi Arabia.

At least 26 civilians, from various nationalities, were injured in the attack, according to Col. Turki al-Maliki, a spokesman for the coalition.

Also in the day, the Houthi rebel group claimed responsibility on targeting the Abha Airport by a cruise missile, saying that the missile "hit the target accurately."

Yemen has been beset by violence and chaos since 2014 when Houthi rebels overran much of the country, including the capital Sanaa.

The crisis escalated in 2015 when a Saudi-led military coalition launched a devastating air campaign aimed at rolling back Houthi territorial gains.

Since then, tens of thousands of Yemenis, including civilians, are believed to have been killed in the conflict, while another 14 million are at the risk of starvation, according to the UN.

According to UN figures, Yemen is facing one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with more than 10 million people driven to the brink of famine. More than 22 million people in Yemen are desperate for humanitarian aid and protection.