Saudi-led coalition says intercepted drones, ballistic missile

RIYADH, Oct. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said Monday it had intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile and three drones launched by Yemen's Houthi group toward Saudi Arabia.

Coalition spokesperson Turki Al-Maliki said on the social platform X that Saudi air defenses intercepted and destroyed three drones over the Saudi capital Riyadh and southern regions.

In a separate announcement, the coalition said it had intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched by the Houthi group toward Riyadh.

Earlier in the day, the coalition said it had carried out a "qualitative military operation" targeting Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, destroying five tunnels used to store ballistic missiles, four ballistic missile launchers and a missile-storage facility.

The operation also targeted Houthi supply lines linking areas under the group's control, as well as fortifications, personnel and military equipment along front lines inside Yemen, it added.

The development came amid escalating hostilities between Yemen's Houthis and Saudi Arabia, the main ally of Yemen's government, with both sides exchanging attacks and military warnings in recent days.