World

Saudis Thwart Explosive-Laden Drone Targeting Patriot Missile Battery in Najran

Yemen's SABA news agency previously reported that the Houthis planned to attack about 300 targets, including military and strategic facilities in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Sputnik

Al-Masirah TV, which belongs to the Houthi movement, reported on Thursday that the Yemeni militants had launched a drone attack on a Patriot missile battery, located at Najran airport in Saudi Arabia. Later, the Saudi-led coalition confirmed that the explosive-laden drone had been destroyed.

The news comes just a day after Riyadh stated that the Houthis had launched another drone to destroy hangars containing warplanes at Najran airport, adding that it was intercepted by Saudi air defences.

READ MORE: Yemeni Houthis Plan to Attack Some 300 Targets in Saudi Arabia, UAE — Reports

Saudi Air Defence Intercepts Two Houthis Missiles in Mecca Province - Report
The airport in the southern Saudi province has been closed for almost four years due to the military conflict in neighbouring Yemen. The facility opened earlier in May, and has already been the target of several attacks by militants.

There have been continuing clashes in Yemen amid a civil war between the Houthi movement and government forces led by President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi, who is backed by Riyadh. A Saudi-led coalition has been conducting strikes against the Houthis at Hadi's request since March 2015.

Discuss