RIYADH: The Arab coalition intercepted and destroyed a Houthi boat laden with explosives on Thursday.
The boat, that was launched from the governorate of Hodeidah, was destroyed in the southern Red Sea, coalition spokesperson Col. Turki Al-Maliki said.
"The coalition's naval forces detected an attempt by the terrorist Houthi militia backed by Iran to carry out an imminent act of aggression and terrorism in the southern Red Sea using an unmanned, rigged boat ... launched from Hodeidah province," coalition spokesman Colonel Turki al-Malki said in a statement.
He did not specify the intended target.
There was no immediate confirmation by the Houthis, who had claimed responsibility for the Sept. 14 attacks on Saudi oil facilities. Riyadh has rejected the claim and said those strikes did not come from Yemen.
The Houthis, who have threatened to widen attacks on Saudi Arabia, have in the past targeted vessels off Yemen, which lies on one side of the Bab Al-Mandeb strait at the southern mouth of the Red Sea, one of the world's most vital oil tanker routes.
Al-Maliki said Thursday's foiled attack represented a threat to regional and international security and the safety of maritime routes and international trade.
The incident comes as the United States and Saudi Arabia consider responses to Saturday's assault on Saudi oil facilities. Iran has been accused of being behind the attacks.
