Saudi-led coalition intercepts rebel drone from Yemen

By Diana Shalhub and Aziz al-Ahmadi

ISTANBUL (AA) – The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said Saturday it had intercepted and destroyed an explosive-laden drone fired by Houthi rebels towards Saudi Arabia.

A coalition statement said Saudi air defenses destroyed an unmanned explosive-laden drone fired by Houthis towards the southwestern city of Khamis Mushait, the state news agency SPA reported.

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

Rebel spokesman Yahya Saree confirmed the attack, saying it targeted King Khalid Air Base in Khamis Mushait.

Saturday’s rebel attack marks the third such attack against the oil-rich kingdom in less than a week after the Saudi-led coalition shot down two booby-trapped drones fired by Houthis on Monday and Thursday.

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