Arab Coalition destroys explosive drone targeting Saudi Arabia’s Khamis Mushait

Arab Coalition destroys explosive drone targeting Saudi Arabia’s Khamis Mushait
March 9, 2021, 10:33 am

A Houthi fighter holds his weapon during a gathering aimed at mobilizing more fighters for the Iranian-backed militia, in Sanaa, Yemen, Feb. 20, 2020. (AP)

The Arab Coalition intercepted and destroyed an explosive-laden drone launched by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militia toward Saudi Arabia's Khamis Mushait, the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Tuesday.

Khamis Mushait is a southwestern city home to the King Khalid Air Base.

Yemen’s Houthi movement regularly launches drones and missiles into Saudi Arabia, many of which Riyadh says it intercepts.

Monday night, the Coalition announced it had intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile fired by the Houthi militia targeting Khamis Mushait. Another explosive drone was also intercepted and destroyed.

The attacks on Monday come one day after the Arab Coalition confirmed that Iran supplied the weapons that were used in the attack on Aramco’s oil port and facilities in Saudi Arabia.

Some attacks have previously hit Abha International Airport which is about 120 kilometer (75 miles) from the border with Yemen.

In February, the Houthis claimed an attack on the Abha airport which caused a civilian plane to catch fire. The militia said the airport was a military target, according to AFP.