Saudi coalition says it intercepted Houthi drones and missiles aimed at the kingdom

A Saudi-led military coalition reported on Saturday that its air defences had intercepted a series of drones and missiles launched by Yemen's Houthi rebels. Coalition spokesperson Turki Al-Maliki said forces shot down two drones heading toward the Riyadh area, along with two ballistic missiles aimed at the southwestern city of Khamis Mushait.

Escalating conflict

The Houthis declared a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia in July and have since stepped up attacks on both Saudi cities and shipping traffic, adding to tensions across the Middle East. Saudi Arabia has responded with strikes of its own against the group, but these have not prevented the Houthis from seizing broad stretches of territory inside Yemen this month.

On Friday, the Houthis reported that Saudi warplanes had carried out 14 airstrikes and missile attacks within a 24-hour period against the Taiz, Amran, Marib and Saada areas of Yemen.

Humanitarian toll

The United Nations says the intensifying conflict has displaced more than 122,000 people across Yemen. The organisation also reported this week that 674 people were killed and 2,998 injured between 6 August and 18 September as fighting continued.