Saudi-led Coalition aborts new Houthi attacks

Saudi Arabian air defenses intercepted and destroyed five drones launched by the Iran-aligned Houthi movement from Yemeni capital Sanaa towards the kingdom.

The Arab Coalition had shared on Monday videos of the destruction of three drones launched by the Iran-backed militias towards the Kingdom’s southern region, Sunday night.

The Coalition affirmed it took all necessary operational measures to preserve the security of Saudi Arabia, and its citizens and residents.

This came hours after it announced that Saudi defenses shot down and destroyed three drones launched towards Najran.

It also added in a statement that Coalition forces monitored the launch of the drones from the Yemeni capital, Sana’a, and how the Houthis used civilians as human shields.

The Coalition said that it is monitoring all sources of threats to destroy and eliminate them. It also said that operational options are on the table to respond to threats and to deter the Houthi militia’s aggressive behavior.

The Coalition continued to stress that it takes all the operational measures necessary to deal with the sources of threat and to respond immediately.

Yemen’s Houthis have launched dozens of cross-border aerial attacks on Saudi Arabia during 2021. The Iran-backed militia targeted civilian areas and energy facilities in the Kingdom with explosive-laden drones and ballistic missiles.

The Arab Coalition has been carrying out attacks against legitimate military Houthi targets in Yemen as of late, warning civilians to not approach or gather around the targeted sites beforehand, and stressing that the operations will be conducted in with international humanitarian law.

The Houthi militia have been launching near daily cross border attacks on the Kingdom’s southern region. On Sunday, the coalition said three drones were intercepted and downed as they were headed for populated areas in Najran.