RIYADH — The Arab Coalition forces on Wednesday intercepted and destroyed an explosive-laen drone launched by the Iran-backed Houthi militia targeting civilian areas in the southern region of Saudi Arabia, the official spokesman of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Brig. Gen. Turki Al-Maliki said in a statement.

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

“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.”

Meanwhile, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Secretary General Dr. Yousef Bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen strongly condemned, in a statement issued Wednesday, continuing hostile acts by the terrorist Houthi militia who launched a bomb-laden UAV toward civilians and civilian objects in the Southern region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which was intercepted and destroyed by the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen.

He reiterated the OIC’s stand and solidarity with Saudi Arabia in all measures it takes to protect its security and stability and the safety of its citizens and residents. — SPA