Saudi Arabia intercepts Houthi ballistic missile from Yemen
The Saudi air force reports intercepting a ballistic missile from the Houthis in Yemen, accusing the rebels of 'violating international humanitarian law'.
2 min read
Saudi forces watch over the border with Yemen [Getty]
Saudi air defences intercepted a ballistic missile fired by Houthi militants in Yemen over the southern town of Jizan in the early hours of Thursday morning, the kingdom's state news agency reported.
Colonel Turki al-Malki said that the missile, which was "deliberately launched to target civilian and populated areas" was launched from Yemen's Saada province, and was shot down at 1:58am on Thursday morning.
The Saudi air force "succeeded in intercepting and destroying" the missile, "which resulted in the scattering of the missile's fragments over residential areas without causing any injuries", the statement added.
Contrary to these reports, the Houthis' official news outlet Saba said that the Badr 1 missile "hit a vital port accurately", referring to Jizan.
The attempted strike comes three days after a Houthi missile targeted Jizan's airport, which the rebels say was in reponse to "Saudi-led air strikes that killed and injured tens of thousands of Yemeni civilians", according to Saba.
Read more: How Iran's role differs in Syria and Yemen war
Saudi Arabia's Colonel al-Malki accused the Houthis of violating international humanitarian law by targeting densely populated civilian areas with ballistic missiles, something Riyadh has been accused of also doing in Yemen.
In April, a suspected Saudi coalition airstrike hit a wedding celebration in northern Yemen, killing over 50 people including many women and children.
In September 2017, the UN said it had verified 5,144 civilian deaths during the Yemen conflict, the majority of which from air strikes by the Saudi-led coalition. These figures are thought to be much higher.
Colonel Turki al-Malki said that the missile, which was "deliberately launched to target civilian and populated areas" was launched from Yemen's Saada province, and was shot down at 1:58am on Thursday morning.
The Saudi air force "succeeded in intercepting and destroying" the missile, "which resulted in the scattering of the missile's fragments over residential areas without causing any injuries", the statement added.
Contrary to these reports, the Houthis' official news outlet Saba said that the Badr 1 missile "hit a vital port accurately", referring to Jizan.
The attempted strike comes three days after a Houthi missile targeted Jizan's airport, which the rebels say was in reponse to "Saudi-led air strikes that killed and injured tens of thousands of Yemeni civilians", according to Saba.
Read more: How Iran's role differs in Syria and Yemen war
Saudi Arabia's Colonel al-Malki accused the Houthis of violating international humanitarian law by targeting densely populated civilian areas with ballistic missiles, something Riyadh has been accused of also doing in Yemen.
In April, a suspected Saudi coalition airstrike hit a wedding celebration in northern Yemen, killing over 50 people including many women and children.
In September 2017, the UN said it had verified 5,144 civilian deaths during the Yemen conflict, the majority of which from air strikes by the Saudi-led coalition. These figures are thought to be much higher.
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