RIYADH — The Arab Coalition forces have intercepted and destroyed five armed drones launched by Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen targeting Saudi Arabia within 24 hours, the coalition spokesman Col. Turki al-Maliki said late Thursday. In a statement carried by Saudi Press Agency, the spokesman said the drones were "systematically and deliberately launched by the terrorist Iran-backed Houthi militias to target civilians and civilian facilities in Saudi Arabia." Al-Maliki added that the coalition is taking all necessary precautions to protect civilians and civilian facilities from the attacks. Condemning the continued drone attacks, Al-Maliki said: "The terrorist leaders and operatives responsible for the barbaric, terrorist acts will be held accountable in accordance with international humanitarian law and its customary rules." In the last few months, the Houthi militia has stepped up drone and missile attacks targeting civilian areas in the Kingdom. On Wednesday, the Arab Coalition intercepted and destroyed two explosive-laden boats south of the Red Sea launched by the Houthi militia.
