Yemen’s Houthi rebels say they have used ballistic missiles and drones to create “important targets” in the Saudi capital, Riyadh.
The Saudi-led coalition, which has been at war with the Iranian-backed group since 2015, has not confirmed the attack on Riyadh, but said it had intercepted and destroyed a number of ballistic missiles and explosive drones launched into the state on Thursday.
On Thursday, Houthi forces spokesman Yahya Saria said the group used Dul-Fakkar ballistic missiles and three Samad-3 drones in an attack at an undisclosed location.
“These attacks are a response to the permanent growth of the enemy and the continued blockade against our country,” Saria said in a statement posted on Twitter.
Saudi Arabia promised more attacks if it “continued its aggression” in Yemen.
A spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition said Houthi forces had fired missiles and drones at civilian targets in Saudi Arabia without giving further details.
Long struggle
On Thursday, the Saudi-led coalition said it had forces The drone, loaded with explosives, was intercepted by Houthis and intercepted and destroyed.
In a statement released by the Saudi Press Agency, coalition spokesman Turki al-Malki said the drones were targeting the civilian population and facilities in the southern Saudi city.
The coalition said that since Friday, it has destroyed drones loaded with at least six explosives targeting southern areas of the state.
Yahuman has been in conflict since 2014 when Houthis captured most of the north of the country, including the capital, Sanaa.
The Saudi-led coalition intervened in March 2015 to restore the government of President Abdul-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.
Within months, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and their allies on the ground pushed Houthis from outside southern Yemen to their northern homeland.
The war has killed more than 100,000 people and wreaked havoc, Already one of the poorest countries in the Arab world is pushing Yemen to the brink of drought.
The United Nations has called Yemen the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.
Source:
Al Jazeera and news agencies
.
