Riyadh

Saudi Arabia intercepted multiple ballistic missiles and drones launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels towards the kingdom on Thursday, the Saudi News Agency said. The insurgents claimed they had targeted the capital Riyadh.

The Iran-linked rebels have stepped up attacks on the kingdom, mainly targeting southern provinces along the long border between both countries.

Coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki said they intercepted and destroyed a “number of ballistic missiles and bomb-laden” drones launched towards the kingdom. However he did not specify the target nor report any damage or casualties.

“The terrorist Houthi militia is deliberately escalating the hostile, terrorist targeting of civilians and civilian objects using ballistic missiles and bomb-laden (unmanned aerial vehicles),” Maliki was quoted as saying by the official Saudi Press Agency.

Houthi rebels have targeted Riyadh in the past with missiles and drones, but the coalition has been successful in intercepting most of them.

The coalition, assisted by Western powers including the US, has struggled to oust a ragtag but highly motivated tribal militia that specializes in guerrilla tactics.

Saudi Arabia has repeatedly accused Iran of supplying sophisticated weapons to the Houthis.