Saudi Arabia intercepts Houthi missile headed for Jizan
Saudi Arabia intercepts Houthi missile headed for Jizan
The Saudi-led military coalition has said that a ballistic missile was intercepted after being launched from Yemen's Saada province.
2 min read
Houthi rebels have fired a total of 186 rockets at Saudi Arabia since 2015 [AFP]
A ballistic missile fired from Yemen towards the southwestern Saudi city of Jizan was intercepted early on Monday, according to the Riyadh-led military coalition.
Coalition spokesman Col. Turki al-Maliki said that the missile was launched from Yemen's Saada province by Houthi rebels.
"The Saudi Royal Air Defence Force succeeded in intercepting and destroying the missile, which did not result in any injuries," he said.
He alleged that the attack by the Zaydi-Shia rebel group displayed Iran's complicity breaking UN resolutions 2216 and 2231.
Iran has repeatedly denied that it is arming the Houthis in Yemen, but the US and Saudi Arabia have accused Tehran of providing military support to the rebels.
A UN panel of experts in July found that Yemen's Houthi rebels are arming themselves with ballistic missiles and drones that "show characteristics similar" to Iranian-made weapons.
In a confidential report to the Security Council, a copy of which was seen by AFP, the panel said it "continues to believe" that short-range ballistic missiles and other weaponry were transferred from Iran to Yemen after an arms embargo was imposed in 2015.
According to the Saudi-led coalition, a total of 186 rockets have been fired by Houthi militants towards Saudi Arabia.
Missiles have reached the capital Riyadh, highlighting the growing strength of the rebels and gaps in the kingdom's defences.
Coalition spokesman Col. Turki al-Maliki said that the missile was launched from Yemen's Saada province by Houthi rebels.
"The Saudi Royal Air Defence Force succeeded in intercepting and destroying the missile, which did not result in any injuries," he said.
He alleged that the attack by the Zaydi-Shia rebel group displayed Iran's complicity breaking UN resolutions 2216 and 2231.
Iran has repeatedly denied that it is arming the Houthis in Yemen, but the US and Saudi Arabia have accused Tehran of providing military support to the rebels.
A UN panel of experts in July found that Yemen's Houthi rebels are arming themselves with ballistic missiles and drones that "show characteristics similar" to Iranian-made weapons.
In a confidential report to the Security Council, a copy of which was seen by AFP, the panel said it "continues to believe" that short-range ballistic missiles and other weaponry were transferred from Iran to Yemen after an arms embargo was imposed in 2015.
According to the Saudi-led coalition, a total of 186 rockets have been fired by Houthi militants towards Saudi Arabia.
Missiles have reached the capital Riyadh, highlighting the growing strength of the rebels and gaps in the kingdom's defences.
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