Saudi coalition intercepts drone attack by Yemen rebels

SANAA, Yemen (AA) - The Saudi-led coalition said Thursday it intercepted an explosive-laden dronethat was fired by Houthi rebels in Yemen.

“Coalition forces were able to intercept and destroy an explosive drone launched by the Houthis towards civilians in the city of Khamis Mushait southern Saudi Arabia,” saod coalition spokesman Col. Turki al-Maliki.

Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree said the group targeted important military targets at the Abha International Airport in southern Saudi Arabia with a Samad 3 drone, without mentioning the nature of the target or details.

Houthis regularly fire ballistic missiles and drones toward the Saudi authorities in response to coalition airstrikes on Yemeni areas held by the rebels.

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 coalition launched a devastating air campaign aimed at rolling back Houthi territorial gains.

Tens of thousands of Yemenis, including civilians, are believed to have been killed in the conflict, which has led to the world’s worst humanitarian crisis as millions remain at risk of starvation.

* Bassel Barakat contributed to this report from Ankara