9 Saudi soldiers missing in Yemen offensive

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia says nine of its soldiers fighting Yemeni rebels on the border are missing and the kingdom's monarch is vowing to defend the country.

A defense ministry statement said the fate of the soldiers remains unknown. The statement was a reaction to reports that the soldiers were captured by Yemeni rebels.

Saudi Arabia has unleashed an offensive against Yemeni Shiite rebels who crossed into the kingdom and killed a Saudi soldier earlier this month. The rebels have been fighting Yemen's central government for five years, destabilising the already impoverished nation that has become fertile ground for Al Qaida.

Saudi King Abdullah said on Friday his country will not allow anyone to "desecrate" its lands.