Saudi air defences destroy Houthi explosive-laden drone
SMA NEWS – RIYADH
The Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen said early on Sunday that Saudi air defenses intercepted and destroyed an explosive-laden drone launched by Iran-aligned Houthis towards the Saudi city of Khamis Mushait, state media reported.
“The Houthi terrorist militia continues to commit grave violations of the international humanitarian law by targeting civilians,” said a coalition statement carried by the official Saudi news agency SPA said.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said on Twitter that Houthis had targeted the King Khalid air base in Khamis Mushait with a drone, adding that the “hit was precise.”
There was no confirmation from Saudi authorities of any damage.
The Houthi militias regularly announce rocket and drone attacks on Saudi territories, saying they are in retaliation for the Saudi-led coalition’s assault on Yemen.
Yemen has been wracked by violence and instability since 2014, when Houthi militias captured much of the country, including the capital Sana’a.
A Saudi-led coalition later intervened to support the internationally-recognised government of Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi.
The United States and the United Nations are pressing for a nationwide ceasefire deal to help end the war in Yemen, which has caused what the UN calls the world’s largest humanitarian crisis.
