RIYADH/SANAA, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said on Thursday that it had intercepted and destroyed multiple drones launched toward Saudi Arabia.
Coalition spokesman Turki Al-Maliki said on the social media platform X on Thursday afternoon that the forces intercepted and destroyed four drones over Riyadh and Medina and another over Riyadh in separate incidents.
Earlier in the day, the coalition said its forces had destroyed four drones launched toward the Eastern Province.
Meanwhile, Yemen's Houthi group said it had launched four missile and drone attacks against Saudi Arabia over the past 48 hours.
In a televised statement aired by the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said the attacks targeted the Saudi Defense Ministry in Riyadh, King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, a facility belonging to Saudi oil giant Aramco in Yanbu, and Abha International Airport in the southwestern city of Abha.
All targets were "directly hit," causing air traffic disruption and a fire at the oil facility, Sarea claimed.
In a separate development, the Houthis claimed that Saudi Arabia struck an Indian yacht near Yemen's Zuqar Island in the southern Red Sea, alleging 14 Indian nationals were aboard.
Sarea said Houthi forces were carrying out a rescue operation and would provide further details later.
There was no immediate comment from Saudi Arabia.
Zuqar Island lies north of the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait, one of the world's key maritime shipping routes.
The developments came amid intensified fighting in Yemen, with the Saudi-backed government forces trying to reverse Houthi territorial gains. The Houthis have also continued missile and drone attacks against Saudi Arabia. ■