Saudi air defenses intercept missile from Yemen: Media

By Mahmut Geldi

RIYADH (AA) - Saudi air defenses have intercepted a “ballistic missile” fired by Houthi rebels from neighboring Yemen, Saudi media reported Wednesday.

According to Saudi television channel Al-Ekhbariya, the missile was fired toward capital Riyadh but was intercepted and destroyed by Saudi air-defense systems.

The Saudi government has yet to issue an official statement regarding the alleged incident.

In recent months, Yemen’s Houthi rebels have fired a number of missiles into Saudi territory, some of which have caused material damage.

Yemen has been wracked by conflict since 2014, when the Houthis overran much of the country, including capital Sanaa.

The conflict escalated in 2015 when Saudi Arabia and its Sunni-Arab allies launched a wide-ranging military campaign in Yemen aimed at rolling back Houthi gains.

Riyadh has repeatedly accused the Houthis of acting as a proxy force for Shia Iran, Saudi Arabia’s arch-foe in the region.