- Saudi Royal Air Force's defense system caught the drone
- Device was found to be a Houthi drone built using Iranian specifications
RIYADH: Arab coalition forces on Wednesday intercepted and destroyed an Iranian-made drone used by Houthis over Abha in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Royal Air Force's defense system caught the drone, which was heading for the southern city, spokesman Col. Turki Al-Maliki said Wednesday.
After specialists examined the debris of the device, it was found to be a Houthi drone built using Iranian specifications.
Al-Maliki warned the Iranian-backed Houthi militia "in the strongest terms" against targeting civilians and civilian targets. He added that the coalition would take any measures in accordance with international humanitarian law to deter their threat.
This latest interception comes after a drone attack earlier this month on a military parade at Al-Anad air base in Yemen's government-held Lahij province killed at least seven people. The dead included high-ranking Yemeni intelligence official Brig. Gen. Saleh Tamah.
In December, the coalition destroyed a drone and its launch pad at Sanaa International Airport. The coalition said the drone was in the preparation stage for its launch before it was destroyed.
The drone interception came on the same day that the Arab coalition freed and returned seven Houthi prisoners back to Yemen.