Saudi-led coalition destroys drones launched towards Jazan and Khamis Mushait

Yemen's Houthi rebels are attacking the kingdom almost every day

Coalition spokesman Colonel Turki al-Malki speaks during a news conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia March 26, 2018. REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser
Powered by automated translation


The Saudi-led coalition said on Thursday it had destroyed two drones launched by Yemen's Houthis, one aimed at the southern city of Khamis Mushait and the other launched towards the border city of Jazan.

The attacks are the latest in what has become a near-daily barrage by the Iran-backed rebels across the kingdom's southern border. The increase in attacks was condemned by Saudi Arabia's allies, including the US, France and the UN.

The coalition intervened in Yemen in March 2015 to restore the internationally recognised government that was ousted from the capital, Sanaa, by the Houthi movement.

On Tuesday, a Houthi rocket attack wounded five civilians in Jazan and damaged cars and shops.

On Wednesday, Saudi Arabia sent a letter to the United Nations Security Council demanding that action be taken against the Houthis over their attacks on civilian targets in the kingdom.

The Saudi permanent representative to the UN, Abdallah Al Mouallimi, called on the Security Council "to continue shouldering its responsibility towards the Houthi militias backed by Iran to stop their threats to international peace and security and to hold them accountable".

The US promised to bolster Saudi defences. Last month the American military held a training exercise with their Saudi counterparts on counter-drone operations.