The Saudi-led Arab coalition forced on Tuesday an International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) plane to land in Jazan after it changed its flight course without prior notice.
Coalition spokesman Colonel Turki al-Maliki explained that the plane took off from Yemen’s Sanaa airport and was initially headed to Djibouti.
It then changed its route and flew over the Operations zone, prompting the alliance to contact the aircraft to clarify its actions, he went on to say.
Malki added: “The Coalition Forces communicated with the aircraft on the International Distress Frequency. The aircraft’s crew did not respond to the calls.”
“Commands were given to redirect the aircraft away from the Operations zone to no avail. The aircraft was forced to land in King Abdullah Regional Airport in Jazan at 14:16,” he added.
The coalition declared that the aircraft crew’s action was a direct violation of Aviation Regulations. The air space as well as safety of the four passengers on board was jeopardized.
The alliance therefore, stressed that its actions to divert the plan were taken to guarantee the safety of the flight crew and humanitarian staffers who were on board.
