Saudi Arabia responds after new Al Houthi drone attack

Cairo: The Saudi-led military coalition fighting in Yemen said on Friday it had struck targets around the port city of Hodeidah belonging to the Iran-aligned Al Houthis, after Al Houthis fired a missile at a utility plant in southern Saudi Arabia.

The coalition said in a statement carried by Saudi state media that its targets included booby-trapped boats that Al Houthis had prepared for terrorist acts and to threaten international shipping.

Saudi air forces Thursday night shot down a drone fired by Al Houthis in the direction of the kingdom, said an Arab coalition fighting the Iran-allied militants.

The drone was intercepted and downed as it targeted the southern Saudi province of Jizan, the alliance’s spokesman Turki Al Maliki said in a statement.

He accused Al Houthis of pursuing “desperate and repeated” attempts targeting civilians and civil facilities.

“We confirm our legitimate right to take and implement the proper deterrence measures to tackle these hostile acts in conformity to the humanitarian international laws and its rules,” Al Maliki added.

Earlier Thursday, the alliance said that a rocket fired by Al Houthis had struck near a water desalination plant in Jizan without causing casualties and damage.

In recent weeks, the extremists have stepped up their attacks against civilians and civil installations inside Saudi Arabia.

Last week, the extremists targeted Abha airport in Saudi Arabia, injuring 26 civilians including two children and three women.

Last month, Al Houthis claimed explosives-laden drone attacks against oil installations in Saudi Arabia amid tensions between Iran and the US.