RIYADH — The Arab Coalition on Wednesday afternoon intercepted and destroyed in Yemeni airspace an explosive-laden drone launched by the Iran-backed Houthi militia toward Saudi Arabia.

The drone attack targeted civilians and civilian facilities in Saudi Arabia, according to the spokesman of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen, Brig. Gen Turki Al-Maliki.

This foiling of the second Houthi-fired UAV came after the coalition forces had intercepted and destroyed Wednesday morning a bomb-laden UAV launched to target civilians and civilian objects in Khamis Mushayt.

The statement by Brig. Gen Al-Maliki said: “Joint Coalition Forces have intercepted and destroyed this afternoon (Wednesday) in Yemeni airspace a bomb-laden UAV launched systematically and deliberately by the terrorist Houthi militia to target civilians and civilian objects in the Kingdom.

“These acts of aggression to deliberately and systematically target civilians and civilian objects by the terrorist, Iran-backed Houthi militia amount to war crimes.

“The Joint Forces Command of the Coalition will continue to implement all necessary operational procedures to safeguard civilians and civilian objects in accordance with the customary International Humanitarian Law.” — SPA