Saudi-led coalition intercepts bomb-laden drone from Yemen

RIYADH (AA) - The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said Friday it had intercepted and destroyed an explosive-laden drone fired by Houthi rebels towards Saudi Arabia, marking a fourth similar attack in two days.

A coalition statement said Saudi air defenses destroyed the drone fired by Houthis towards the southwestern city of Khamis Mushait, state-run Saudi Press Agency reported.

The Saudi-led coalition said it applied “operating procedures to protect civilians and civilian areas from such attacks”.

The rebel group has yet to comment on the coalition's statement.

In three separate statements on Wednesday, the coalition said it destroyed a booby-trapped drone fired towards Jazan area, southwest of Saudi Arabia, one towards Khamis Mushait city and another four drones that were fired on the Kingdom's southern territories.

The Houthi group, backed by Iran, regularly announces rocket and drone attacks on Saudi territories, saying they are a reaction to the Saudi-led coalition’s assault on Yemen.

Yemen has been beset by violence and chaos since 2014, when Houthis 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.

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the conflict has claimed more than 233,000 lives.

*Ahmed Asmar contributed to this report from Ankara