JEDDAH: The Arab coalition said it had destroyed several drones that tried to target southwestern Saudi Arabia on Sunday, state TV reported.
The coalition said one drone that tried to target civilians at King Abdullah Airport in Jazan was destroyed, adding that it had taken off from Sanaa International Airport in Yemen.
The coalition also said that Saudi air defenses destroyed two Houthi drones that were launched toward Abha International Airport.
The coalition said that the Houthi militia also attempted to target the airport at dawn on Sunday with three drones that they claim were launched from Sanaa airport.
Saudi defenses also destroyed a drone that was launched towards Khamis Mushayt earlier on Sunday.
The Iran-backed Houthis had repeatedly launched missile and drone attacks toward Saudi Arabia since the Kingdom threw its support behind Yemen's UN-recognized government in 2015.
Later on Sunday, the coalition said it had launched airstrikes on "legitimate military targets" in Sanaa and called on civilians not to gather or approach targeted sites.
It added that "the operation in Sanaa was in line with international humanitarian law and its customary rule," Saudi state TV reported.
The UAE condemned the attacks and said they reflect the Houthis’ blatant defiance of the international community and their disregard for all international laws and norms.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation urged the international community to take an immediate and decisive stance to stop these repeated actions targeting vital and civil facilities, the security of the Kingdom, energy supplies and global economic stability.
Bahrain also issued a statement condemning the attacks and stressing support for Saudi Arabia in all measures and efforts it takes against threats targeting its security, stability, and the safety of its territories and citizens.
Saudi Arabia, the UAE and other Arab countries have organized a fighting force to help restore the Yemeni government, which was ousted by the Houthis in 2014.
