Saudi coalition says intercepted 2 Houthi drones

RIYAHD: Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen's Houthis reported on Saturday the interception of two drones launched by the Iran-backed group in the Riyadh region and the country's south. The coalition, supporting the internationally recognized government in Yemen, has been combating a surge in attacks since hostilities resumed in July.

Turki al-Malki, a spokesperson for the military coalition, announced via X that the two Houthi drones were intercepted and destroyed in the Riyadh and southern regions. The Houthis have been targeting various Saudi sites, including airports, energy facilities, military installations, and Riyadh's financial district. They have frequently launched assaults on the capital, particularly its international airport.

A Houthi strike on Sunday damaged a skyscraper belonging to Saudi state oil giant Aramco in Riyadh's financial district, resulting in 26 deaths. Since September, 23 fatalities have been recorded in attacks on the kingdom. In Yemen, the Houthis often claim Saudi airstrikes in areas under their control. The Saudi coalition has been engaged in the Yemen conflict, supporting the government, for over a decade.

The Yemen conflict began in 2014 when the Houthis took control of Sanaa, forcing the government to relocate to Aden. Following the collapse of a four-year truce this summer, the conflict has resulted in more than 1,600 deaths and over 300,000 people displaced, according to the UN.