Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended all flights bound to and from airports in the south of the country, following the announcement that GCC forces led by the kingdom have launched military action against Houthi rebels in Yemen.

In an official statement, the General Authority of Civil Aviation (Gaca) said: “According to followed procedures, domestic and international flights at both King Abdullah airports of Jizan, Abha, Wadi Aldwasir, Bisha, Sharourah, Najran and Baha have been suspended temporarily starting from 26 March until further notice.”

The kingdom had launched military action in Yemen in coalition with its GCC allies to counter Houthi Shia forces besieging the southern city of Aden, where Saudi-backed Yemen President Abd Rabbu Mansour al-Hadi has taken refuge.