Saudi Arabia’s air defences intercepted ballistic missiles launched at the kingdom from Yemen on Friday, a spokesman for the Joint Forces said.
The missiles, shot down in the early hours of Friday morning, were aimed at Saudi cities, coalition spokesman Col Turki Al Malki told the state Spa news agency.
“The missiles were launched in a systematic, deliberate manner to target cities and civilians,” Col Al Malki said.
He said the missiles were launched from the Yemeni capital Sanaa by Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
Col Al Malki said Sanaa had become a “launching hub for ballistic missiles that target the kingdom".
Videos posted to social media showed the Saudi defences intercepting an object near the city of Yanbu, about 165 kilometres west of Medina.
“The Joint Forces Command of the Coalition has exercised extreme prudence and self-restraint in dealing with the violations of the Houthi militia through launching ballistic missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles and remote-controlled exploding boats,” Col Al Malki said.
He said the coalition would continue to implement “rigorous measures” to protect residents in coalition countries from “barbaric attacks”.
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An Iranian-built Qasef-1 drone used by Houthi rebels in Yemen. -
A shot down drone on display. All photos by Victor Besa / The National -
The remains of a Houthi drone intercepted by the Saudi Arabian Air Force. @SPAregions -
The engine of a Qasef-1 drone shot down by Arab Coalition forces in Yemen. -
A drone used by Houthi rebels to launch attacks on Saudi Arabia. AP -
An IED built with Iranian components and camouflaged as a cooking pot recovered by Arab Coalition forces in Yemen. -
An Iranian-supplied STEYR .50 Calibre sniper riffle being used by the Houthi rebels in Yemen. -
Two anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM). The one on the right is a Russian-made Kornet, and on the left is an Iranian imitation. Markings show they were built in 2015 indicating they were smuggled to Yemen after the UN arms embargo. -
IEDs camouflaged inside a fake rock. Arab Coalition officials estimate they have defused up to 30,000 such devices since the war began. -
Farsi language was found enscribed on the wiring of this drone battery from a Qasef-1 UAV indicating its Iranian origins. -
Limpet mines. -
Electronics of an IED. -
Remains of Houthi drone which the coalition shot down. @SPAregions -
Weapons supplied by Iran to the Houthi militias in Yemen were put on display at a press conference by the Saudi-led Arab coalition. Victor Besa / The National
Saudi Arabia has been targeted before by long-range ballistic missile and drone attacks carried out by the Houthi rebels.
The kingdom and the US say Iran is helping the Houthis to carry out the attacks.
This week a report detailed how the Houthis have developed more powerful drones with the help of Iran.
US warships have recently intercepted Iranian weapons shipments, including missiles, that the authorities say were destined for the Houthis in Yemen.
