Arab coalition destroys Houthi ‘hostile air target,’ drone targeting Saudi Arabia

RIYADH: The Arab coalition said on Friday that it had intercepted and destroyed “a hostile air target” launched by Yemen’s Houthi militia toward Saudi Arabia, state TV reported.
“Our joint forces were efficient and thwarted an imminent hostile act,” the coalition said.
Earlier on Friday, the coalition said Saudi air defenses intercepted and destroyed an explosive-laden drone launched by the Iran-backed Houthis toward the southern city of Khamis Mushait.
The Houthis have stepped up their missile, rocket and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia in response to peace overtures by Riyadh.
The Houthi’s deliberate and systematic escalation against Yemen constituted a war crime, the Arab coalition said, adding that it was taking measures to protect civilians from attacks.
The Iran-backed Houthis have been attacking the Kingdom with explosive-laden drones on an almost daily basis in recent weeks despite US, UN and Saudi calls for a cease-fire in Yemen.
On Wednesday, the air defenses also intercepted an armed Houthi drone launched toward the Kingdom’s southern region. 
Last week, Saudi Arabia’s regional allies strongly condemned the continued Houthi attacks on the Kingdom targeting civilians and strategic infrastructure.
They called on the international community to take immediate notice of the situation and help prevent further attacks on the Kingdom.
Saudi Arabia and its Arab allies entered the war in Yemen in 2015 against the Houthis, who drove the internationally recognized government into exile in 2014.