Saudi-led coalition intercepts drone targeting kingdom’s east

The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said early Friday that it intercepted and destroyed a drone heading toward Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province, while Houthi-affiliated media reported artillery shelling in Yemen's northern border province of Saada.

In a brief statement, the coalition announced the interception without identifying who launched the drone or specifying its intended target.

The statement provided no details on casualties or damage.

Separately, the Houthi-affiliated Al-Masirah TV channel reported artillery shelling in parts of Al-Dhaher district, which borders Saudi Arabia, in Saada province.

The reports came amid continued military escalation between the Saudi-led coalition and the Houthis.

On Thursday, the coalition announced the interception of a cruise missile over the Madinah region in western Saudi Arabia.

Read: Pakistan condemns Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, calls for immediate halt at UN

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree denied that the group had carried out any attacks against Saudi territory that day.

A day earlier, the coalition said it intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched by the Houthis toward the capital Riyadh, where falling debris injured one person and caused minor property damage.

The latest incidents follow a wave of attacks on Saudi airports and energy facilities.

Saudi Arabia has led a military coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognised government since 2015 against the Houthis, who have controlled Sanaa and several other provinces since 2014.

The current escalation began in July after a period of relative calm following a UN-brokered truce that started in April 2022.