Saudi Arabia intercepts missile from Yemen rebels

Saudi Arabia air defenses on Monday intercepted a ballistic missile fired from Yemen, to Khamis Mushait city where a major airbase is located, according to the military coalition fighting in Yemen.

It it is the second missile launched from Yemen since the UN-brokered peace negotiations between the Huthi Shiite rebels and the government of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi began in Kuwait on April 21.

The interception occurred “this morning at about three o’clock,” said spokesman for Saudi-led coalition, Brigadier General Ahmed al-Assiri.

“They are still targeting the cities,” he said.

Roughly 100 kilometers from the Yemeni border, the King Khalid Air Base, near the city of Khamis Mushait, is at the forefront of Saudi-led air operations against Shiite Houthi rebels and their allies, elite troops loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh in Yemen.

The missile launches are designed to “sabotage efforts of the international community to make the peace negotiations a success,” the Saudi-led coalition said in a statement.

Saudi Arabia has deployed Patriot missile batteries to counter tactical ballistic missiles which have been fired from time to time during the war.
The coalition warns that it could retaliate if such strikes continue.