Saudi forces intercept Yemeni rebel missile

RIYADH: A Yemen rebel missile heading for Saudi Arabia was intercepted on Saturday, the Arab military coalition said, in the midst of nationwide celebrations to mark the founding of the kingdom.

The ballistic missile targeted Khamis Mushait, which houses the Saudi-led coalition’s main airbase for its operations in Yemen, the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) quoted the coalition as saying.

It added that the missile was intercepted without casualties or damage.

“The Saudi Royal Air Force discovered the launch of a ballistic missile from Yemeni territory.

“The coalition forces then targeted the launch site,” SPA said.

The attack came as Saudi Arabia celebrated its national day across the kingdom.

Occasional ballistic missile attacks, as well as more frequent short-range rocket fire over the southern border, have in the past been conducted after coalition airstrikes against the rebels in Yemen.

Last week, the head of the rebels threatened to fire missiles at the United Arab Emirates and to attack Saudi tankers in the Red Sea.

The Houthi rebels and their allies, former members of Yemen’s security forces linked to ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh, began retaliatory attacks against the kingdom two years ago.

The coalition intervened in the country in March 2015 to support President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi, who said the rebels were supported by Saudi’s regional arch-rival, Iran. AFP