Nearly 80 rebels and pro-government troops have been killed in fighting for the strategic Yemeni city of Marib, military sources told AFP on Wednesday.

"Sixty Houthi rebels were killed most of them in airstrikes conducted in the last 24 hours -- while 18 pro-government troops were killed and dozens injured in clashes over the past 48 hours," a government military official said.

The figures were confirmed by other military sources, while the rebels rarely report casualty numbers.

Battles between Yemen's government, which is backed by a Saudi-led military coalition, and the Iran-allied Houthi rebels have intensified in recent days in the province of Marib, according to the military official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-arabia-intercepts-missiles-drones-fired-from-yemen-410849">Also read | Saudi Arabia intercepts missiles, drones fired from Yemen</a> 
 
The fighting was concentrated in the north and west of the governorate.

The official said airstrikes have also intensified.

The rebels themselves reported early on Wednesday that the coalition has launched at least 30 such strikes against them across Marib province. 
 
Watch | The West Asia Post | A look at Yemen's museums; Battle to save the past

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"The Houthis launched last night a military offensive that continued into the early hours of Wednesday morning," the pro-government official said, adding loyalist troops were able to repel the insurgents despite a small advance on the northern front.

Yemen's internationally recognised government and the Houthis have been locked in war since 2014 when the insurgents seized the capital Sanaa.

In February, the Houthis escalated their efforts to seize Marib, the government's last northern stronghold in fighting that has killed hundreds on both sides.

Control of the oil-rich region would strengthen the Houthis' bargaining position in peace talks.

Nearly 80 rebels and pro-government troops have been killed in fighting for the strategic Yemeni city of Marib, military sources told AFP on Wednesday. "Sixty Houthi rebels were killed most of them in airstrikes conducted in the last 24 hours -- while 18 pro-government troops were killed and dozens injured in clashes over the past 48 hours," a government military official said.

Nearly 80 rebels and pro-government troops have been killed in fighting for the strategic Yemeni city of Marib, military sources told AFP on Wednesday. "Sixty Houthi rebels were killed most of them in airstrikes conducted in the last 24 hours -- while 18 pro-government troops were killed and dozens injured in clashes over the past 48 hours," a government military official said. The figures were confirmed by other military sources, while the rebels rarely report casualty numbers. Battles between Yemen's government, which is backed by a Saudi-led military coalition, and the Iran-allied Houthi rebels have intensified in recent days in the province of Marib, according to the military official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Also read | Saudi Arabia intercepts missiles, drones fired from Yemen The fighting was concentrated in the north and west of the governorate. The official said airstrikes have also intensified. The rebels themselves reported early on Wednesday that the coalition has launched at least 30 such strikes against them across Marib province. Watch | The West Asia Post | A look at Yemen's museums; Battle to save the past "The Houthis launched last night a military offensive that continued into the early hours of Wednesday morning," the pro-government official said, adding loyalist troops were able to repel the insurgents despite a small advance on the northern front. Yemen's internationally recognised government and the Houthis have been locked in war since 2014 when the insurgents seized the capital Sanaa. In February, the Houthis escalated their efforts to seize Marib, the government's last northern stronghold in fighting that has killed hundreds on both sides. Control of the oil-rich region would strengthen the Houthis' bargaining position in peace talks.

Nearly 80 killed in fighting for the strategic Yemeni city of Marib: Sources

At least 17 people have been killed in an explosion near a petrol station in the Yemeni city of Marib. Dozens have been injured in the incident including five children. The petrol station is located about a kilometre from the military base.

At least 17 killed in Houthi ballistic missile attack on Yemen's Marib

At least 12 people were killed on Saturday in an explosion near a petrol station in the Yemeni city of Marib which members of the Saudi-backed government blamed on a missile strike by Houthi forces. 
 
A medical source said dozens of people, many of them badly burned, had been taken to Marib General Hospital and 12 of them had died of their injuries, including five children. 
 
"The rest are receiving treatment and we expect the number of victims to rise," the source added. 
 
Confirming the explosion, the Marib Governorate blamed the incident on a missile fired by the Houthi militia fighting a Saudi-led coalition in Yemen's civil war. It said on Facebook that 14 people had been killed. 
 
The health and information ministers in the internationally recognised Yemeni government also blamed Houthis for the attack. 
 
"More than 17 killed and injured, including this child burned by Houthi Rocket (attack) on Marib city today," Health Minister Qasem Buhaibeh wrote on Twitter alongside a picture of a burned figure. 
 
The Houthi forces could not be reached for comment. 
 
The Marib region is the last northern stronghold of the Saudi-backed government, which has been at war against the Iran-aligned Houthi forces since 2014. 
 
A Marib resident said the explosion was near a fuel station in the Shabwani market on the outskirts of Marib. 
 
"The fire broke out while many people were there and there was a large number of casualties. Ambulances and firefighters came and many of the injured were taken to hospital," the resident said. 
 
Saudi state TV El-Ekbarayia quoted the Yemeni army as saying Houthis had "targeted civilians in Marib with a ballistic missile and a drone." Yemen's information minister, Moammar al-Eryani, made similar accusations and put the death toll at 17. 
 
Fighting over Marib and its vast gas fields has killed thousands of fighters from both sides and threatened years of peace efforts. 
 
The United States has accused the Houthis of worsening Yemen's humanitarian crisis by attacking Marib. 
 
The civil war, which has been in a military stalemate for years, has killed tens of thousands of people and pushed Yemen to the brink of famine. The Houthis say they are fighting a corrupt system and foreign aggression. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

At least 12 people were killed on Saturday in an explosion near a petrol station in the Yemeni city of Marib which members of the Saudi-backed government blamed on a missile strike by Houthi forces.

At least 12 people were killed on Saturday in an explosion near a petrol station in the Yemeni city of Marib which members of the Saudi-backed government blamed on a missile strike by Houthi forces. A medical source said dozens of people, many of them badly burned, had been taken to Marib General Hospital and 12 of them had died of their injuries, including five children. "The rest are receiving treatment and we expect the number of victims to rise," the source added. Confirming the explosion, the Marib Governorate blamed the incident on a missile fired by the Houthi militia fighting a Saudi-led coalition in Yemen's civil war. It said on Facebook that 14 people had been killed. The health and information ministers in the internationally recognised Yemeni government also blamed Houthis for the attack. "More than 17 killed and injured, including this child burned by Houthi Rocket (attack) on Marib city today," Health Minister Qasem Buhaibeh wrote on Twitter alongside a picture of a burned figure. The Houthi forces could not be reached for comment. The Marib region is the last northern stronghold of the Saudi-backed government, which has been at war against the Iran-aligned Houthi forces since 2014. A Marib resident said the explosion was near a fuel station in the Shabwani market on the outskirts of Marib. "The fire broke out while many people were there and there was a large number of casualties. Ambulances and firefighters came and many of the injured were taken to hospital," the resident said. Saudi state TV El-Ekbarayia quoted the Yemeni army as saying Houthis had "targeted civilians in Marib with a ballistic missile and a drone." Yemen's information minister, Moammar al-Eryani, made similar accusations and put the death toll at 17. Fighting over Marib and its vast gas fields has killed thousands of fighters from both sides and threatened years of peace efforts. The United States has accused the Houthis of worsening Yemen's humanitarian crisis by attacking Marib. The civil war, which has been in a military stalemate for years, has killed tens of thousands of people and pushed Yemen to the brink of famine. The Houthis say they are fighting a corrupt system and foreign aggression. (With inputs from agencies)

Explosion in Yemeni city of Marib kills at least 12, death toll may rise

Heavy fighting near the Yemeni city of Marib has killed 96 combatants over the past two days as the Houthi rebels have stepped up their offensive on the government's last northern toehold.

Houthi rebels attack Yemen forces: 96 killed in fighting near Marib

The fight for control over the strategic region of Marib has heated up in Yemen and loyalist military officials have said that 70 pro-government and Houthi rebel fighters have died. The region of Marib is strategic and oil-rich.

Marib is government's last significant pocket of territory. The Houthi rebels have been trying to seize Marib since February.

Two officials from pro-government forces told AFP that battles are raging on three fronts outside Marib city as the Huthis mount a concerted push.&nbsp;

The new toll has come after officials on Saturday announced 53 killed on both sides.

The 70 dead included 26 members of the pro-government forces and 44 from Huthi ranks, they said. The rebels rarely disclose their losses.&nbsp;

One of the officials said that the rebels "are launching simultaneous attacks" in the areas of Kassara and Al-Mashjah, northwest of the city, and Jabal Murad in the south.

"They have made progress on the Kassara and Al-Mashjah fronts, but they have been thwarted on the Jabal Murad front," he told AFP.

Houthi rebels are backed by Iran. The rebel overran Yemen's capital Sanaa. Saudi Arabia-led coalition is opposing the rebel.

The loss of Marib can be a huge blow for the Yemeni government.

(With AFP input)

&nbsp;

The fight for control over the strategic region of Marib has heated up in Yemen and loyalist military officials have said that 70 pro-government and Houthi rebel fighters have died.

The fight for control over the strategic region of Marib has heated up in Yemen and loyalist military officials have said that 70 pro-government and Houthi rebel fighters have died. The region of Marib is strategic and oil-rich. Marib is government's last significant pocket of territory. The Houthi rebels have been trying to seize Marib since February. Two officials from pro-government forces told AFP that battles are raging on three fronts outside Marib city as the Huthis mount a concerted push. The new toll has come after officials on Saturday announced 53 killed on both sides. The 70 dead included 26 members of the pro-government forces and 44 from Huthi ranks, they said. The rebels rarely disclose their losses. One of the officials said that the rebels "are launching simultaneous attacks" in the areas of Kassara and Al-Mashjah, northwest of the city, and Jabal Murad in the south. "They have made progress on the Kassara and Al-Mashjah fronts, but they have been thwarted on the Jabal Murad front," he told AFP. Houthi rebels are backed by Iran. The rebel overran Yemen's capital Sanaa. Saudi Arabia-led coalition is opposing the rebel. The loss of Marib can be a huge blow for the Yemeni government. (With AFP input)

Yemen: 70 dead in fighting over Marib region, say loyalist officials

Fighting for the key region of Marib in Yemen has intensified and as per loyalist military officials who were quoted by news agencies, 53 pro-government and Houthi rebel fighters were killed in the past 24 hours. Marib is the last significant pocket of territory under the Yemeni government's control in north Yemen. The Houthi rebels have been trying to seize the oil-rich region since February.

"The rebels have managed to seize a bit of territory" in the latest fighting northwest of the city, a pro-government military source said, assessing the city of Marib itself was not under threat.

AFP quoted the same source to say that 22 government soldiers including five officers had been killed, along with 31 rebels. Houthis rarely announced casualties on their own side.&nbsp;

If Marib falls to Houthi rebels, it will be a huge blow to the Yemeni government. The government is&nbsp;currently based in the southern city of Aden.

The rebels have stepped up missile and drone strikes against neighbouring Saudi Arabia in recent months, demanding the opening of Yemen's airspace and ports.

They have rejected a Saudi proposal for a ceasefire.

Iran-backed Houthi rebels overran Yemen's capital Sanaa in 2014. This prompted Saudi Arabia-led coalition to intervene in March 2015 in support of the Yemeni government.

(With AFP inputs)

Fighting for the key region of Marib in Yemen has intensified and as per loyalist military officials who were quoted by news agencies, 53 pro-government and Houthi rebel fighters were killed in the past 24 hours.

Fighting for the key region of Marib in Yemen has intensified and as per loyalist military officials who were quoted by news agencies, 53 pro-government and Houthi rebel fighters were killed in the past 24 hours. Marib is the last significant pocket of territory under the Yemeni government's control in north Yemen. The Houthi rebels have been trying to seize the oil-rich region since February. "The rebels have managed to seize a bit of territory" in the latest fighting northwest of the city, a pro-government military source said, assessing the city of Marib itself was not under threat. AFP quoted the same source to say that 22 government soldiers including five officers had been killed, along with 31 rebels. Houthis rarely announced casualties on their own side. If Marib falls to Houthi rebels, it will be a huge blow to the Yemeni government. The government is currently based in the southern city of Aden. The rebels have stepped up missile and drone strikes against neighbouring Saudi Arabia in recent months, demanding the opening of Yemen's airspace and ports. They have rejected a Saudi proposal for a ceasefire. Iran-backed Houthi rebels overran Yemen's capital Sanaa in 2014. This prompted Saudi Arabia-led coalition to intervene in March 2015 in support of the Yemeni government. (With AFP inputs)

Yemen: Battle for Marib heats up

A drone strike sparked a fire at a Riyadh oil refinery Friday, in an attack claimed by Yemen's Huthi rebels, as the Iran-backed insurgents made major advances on the embattled Yemeni city of Marib.

The attack at dawn on the refinery is the second major assault this month on Saudi energy installations, highlighting an escalation of Yemen's six-year conflict between the Saudi-backed Yemeni government and the Iran-linked Huthis.

"The Riyadh oil refinery was attacked by drones, resulting in a fire that has been brought under control," the Saudi energy ministry said in a statement, adding that no casualties were reported and oil supplies were not disrupted.

Strongly condemning the "cowardly attack", the ministry said the drone strikes were not just an assault on the kingdom but the world economy and global energy security.

In a statement, the Huthi rebels claimed to have targeted energy giant Aramco in Riyadh with six drones in response to the "brutal aggression" of the Saudi-backed military coalition in Yemen.

The rebels are stepping up cross-border attacks on the kingdom despite a renewed push by the US administration of President Joe Biden to revive stalled peace talks.

The US condemned the drone strike as an attempt "to disrupt energy supplies by targeting Saudi infrastructure".&nbsp;

"This behaviour shows an utter lack of concern for the safety of the civilian population either working or living near the sites," State Department deputy spokeswoman Jalina Porter told reporters, adding the US was "deeply concerned by the frequency of attacks on Saudi Arabia".

The latest assault comes after Saudi Arabia earlier this month said it thwarted a missile and drone attack on Ras Tanura -- one of the world's biggest oil ports -- and Aramco facilities in Dhahran city in the kingdom's east. It reported no casualties or damage.

Friday's attack coincides with major Huthi advances on Marib city after the rebels took a strategic mountain in clashes that caused dozens of casualties on both sides, according to Yemeni government sources.

The Huthis "took control of Mount Hilan overlooking the city, after fighting that left dozens of dead and wounded on both sides", one of the sources told AFP.

"Marib is in danger," another source said, adding that the loss of the mountain posed "a threat to Marib's first line of defence".

- Intense battle -

Since last month, the rebels have been pushing to seize Marib, the government's last northern stronghold and the capital of an oil-rich region.

The loss of Marib would be a huge blow for the Yemeni government, but would also threaten catastrophe for civilians, including at least one million displaced people sheltering in the region, many in desolate camps in the surrounding desert.

The Huthis had "cut the supply lines of some fronts and are now within firing range of the Al-Mashjab line west of Marib city", a second source added.

Despite the advance, analysts say the city may not fall to the rebels any time soon, given the overwhelming firepower of the Saudi-led coalition.

"An imminent fall of Marib remains unlikely," Maged al-Madhaji of the Sanaa Center think-tank told AFP, although this was "an important advance that puts additional pressure" on government forces.&nbsp;

The coalition intervened in the conflict in 2015, enforcing a naval and air blockade to prevent the smuggling of weapons to the rebels from Iran -- allegations Tehran denies.&nbsp;

The rebels say any ceasefire agreement can only begin after the Saudi-led blockade of Yemen is lifted.

- 'Grave risk' -

The news of their advance came just hours after the United Nations Security Council condemned the "escalation" of armed clashes around Marib city and warned of a worsening humanitarian catastrophe.

The fighting "places one million internally displaced persons at grave risk and threatens efforts to secure a political settlement when the international community is increasingly united to end the conflict," it said.

It "stressed the need for de-escalation by all, including an immediate end to the Huthi escalation in Marib (and) condemned the use of child soldiers in Marib".

Life in the city retains a veneer of normality despite the conflict that rages outside, but there is a sense of dread as the fighting draws nearer.&nbsp;

"We condemn what is happening to the city of Marib. Our children are terrified," one resident, Umm Ali, told AFP.

Another resident, Mohammed Yahya, said the city would "remain steadfast".&nbsp;

"This is what history told us -- that, throughout the ages, Marib has been the thorn that breaks down any enemy that wants any harm to Yemen," he said.

Tens of thousands of people, mostly civilians, have been killed and millions displaced in Yemen's long war, which has crippled the economy and healthcare system.

The UN has declared Yemen the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

A drone strike sparked a fire at a Riyadh oil refinery Friday, in an attack claimed by Yemen's Huthi rebels, as the Iran-backed insurgents made major advances on the embattled Yemeni city of Marib.

A drone strike sparked a fire at a Riyadh oil refinery Friday, in an attack claimed by Yemen's Huthi rebels, as the Iran-backed insurgents made major advances on the embattled Yemeni city of Marib. The attack at dawn on the refinery is the second major assault this month on Saudi energy installations, highlighting an escalation of Yemen's six-year conflict between the Saudi-backed Yemeni government and the Iran-linked Huthis. "The Riyadh oil refinery was attacked by drones, resulting in a fire that has been brought under control," the Saudi energy ministry said in a statement, adding that no casualties were reported and oil supplies were not disrupted. Strongly condemning the "cowardly attack", the ministry said the drone strikes were not just an assault on the kingdom but the world economy and global energy security. In a statement, the Huthi rebels claimed to have targeted energy giant Aramco in Riyadh with six drones in response to the "brutal aggression" of the Saudi-backed military coalition in Yemen. The rebels are stepping up cross-border attacks on the kingdom despite a renewed push by the US administration of President Joe Biden to revive stalled peace talks. The US condemned the drone strike as an attempt "to disrupt energy supplies by targeting Saudi infrastructure". "This behaviour shows an utter lack of concern for the safety of the civilian population either working or living near the sites," State Department deputy spokeswoman Jalina Porter told reporters, adding the US was "deeply concerned by the frequency of attacks on Saudi Arabia". The latest assault comes after Saudi Arabia earlier this month said it thwarted a missile and drone attack on Ras Tanura -- one of the world's biggest oil ports -- and Aramco facilities in Dhahran city in the kingdom's east. It reported no casualties or damage. Friday's attack coincides with major Huthi advances on Marib city after the rebels took a strategic mountain in clashes that caused dozens of casualties on both sides, according to Yemeni government sources. The Huthis "took control of Mount Hilan overlooking the city, after fighting that left dozens of dead and wounded on both sides", one of the sources told AFP. "Marib is in danger," another source said, adding that the loss of the mountain posed "a threat to Marib's first line of defence". - Intense battle - Since last month, the rebels have been pushing to seize Marib, the government's last northern stronghold and the capital of an oil-rich region. The loss of Marib would be a huge blow for the Yemeni government, but would also threaten catastrophe for civilians, including at least one million displaced people sheltering in the region, many in desolate camps in the surrounding desert. The Huthis had "cut the supply lines of some fronts and are now within firing range of the Al-Mashjab line west of Marib city", a second source added. Despite the advance, analysts say the city may not fall to the rebels any time soon, given the overwhelming firepower of the Saudi-led coalition. "An imminent fall of Marib remains unlikely," Maged al-Madhaji of the Sanaa Center think-tank told AFP, although this was "an important advance that puts additional pressure" on government forces. The coalition intervened in the conflict in 2015, enforcing a naval and air blockade to prevent the smuggling of weapons to the rebels from Iran -- allegations Tehran denies. The rebels say any ceasefire agreement can only begin after the Saudi-led blockade of Yemen is lifted. - 'Grave risk' - The news of their advance came just hours after the United Nations Security Council condemned the "escalation" of armed clashes around Marib city and warned of a worsening humanitarian catastrophe. The fighting "places one million internally displaced persons at grave risk and threatens efforts to secure a political settlement when the international community is increasingly united to end the conflict," it said. It "stressed the need for de-escalation by all, including an immediate end to the Huthi escalation in Marib (and) condemned the use of child soldiers in Marib". Life in the city retains a veneer of normality despite the conflict that rages outside, but there is a sense of dread as the fighting draws nearer. "We condemn what is happening to the city of Marib. Our children are terrified," one resident, Umm Ali, told AFP. Another resident, Mohammed Yahya, said the city would "remain steadfast". "This is what history told us -- that, throughout the ages, Marib has been the thorn that breaks down any enemy that wants any harm to Yemen," he said. Tens of thousands of people, mostly civilians, have been killed and millions displaced in Yemen's long war, which has crippled the economy and healthcare system. The UN has declared Yemen the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

Drones spark fire at Saudi refinery as Huthis advance on Yemen's Marib

Fierce fighting between Yemeni pro-government forces and Iran-backed Huthi rebels has killed at least 90 combatants on both sides in the past 24 hours, government military sources said on Saturday.&nbsp;

The Shiite rebels launched an offensive last month to seize Marib, the last stronghold in northern Yemen of pro-government forces, who are backed by a Saudi-led military coalition.&nbsp;

The clashes in the oil-rich province left 32 dead among government forces and loyalist tribes, while 58 Huthi rebels were killed in coalition air strikes, the sources said.&nbsp;

They said heavy clashes broke out on six fronts as government forces were able to counter attacks by the Huthis, who managed to advance only on the Kassara front northwest of Marib city.&nbsp;

The fighting also left dozens of people wounded, the sources added.&nbsp;

The loss of Marib would be a huge blow for the Yemeni government, but would also threaten catastrophe for civilians, including hundreds of thousands of displaced people sheltering in desolate camps in the surrounding desert.&nbsp;

It would also be a major setback for Saudi Arabia, which has been the target of increasingly frequent Huthi missile attacks in recent weeks.&nbsp;

Shrapnel from Huthi drones intercepted by the Saudis on Friday wounded two civilians, including a 10-year-old, in the southwest of the kingdom, the official SPA news agency reported.&nbsp;

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday urged the Huthis to halt their offensive in Marib, as he announced $191 million in aid at a donors' conference.&nbsp;

"Aid alone will not end the conflict. We can only end the humanitarian crisis in Yemen by ending the war... so the United States is reinvigorating our diplomatic efforts to end the war," he said.&nbsp;

The United Nations had sought to raise $3.85 billion from more than 100 governments and donors, but only $1.7 billion was offered.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Fierce fighting between Yemeni pro-government forces and Iran-backed Huthi rebels has killed at least 90 combatants on both sides in the past 24 hours, government military sources said on Saturday.

Fierce fighting between Yemeni pro-government forces and Iran-backed Huthi rebels has killed at least 90 combatants on both sides in the past 24 hours, government military sources said on Saturday. The Shiite rebels launched an offensive last month to seize Marib, the last stronghold in northern Yemen of pro-government forces, who are backed by a Saudi-led military coalition. The clashes in the oil-rich province left 32 dead among government forces and loyalist tribes, while 58 Huthi rebels were killed in coalition air strikes, the sources said. They said heavy clashes broke out on six fronts as government forces were able to counter attacks by the Huthis, who managed to advance only on the Kassara front northwest of Marib city. The fighting also left dozens of people wounded, the sources added. The loss of Marib would be a huge blow for the Yemeni government, but would also threaten catastrophe for civilians, including hundreds of thousands of displaced people sheltering in desolate camps in the surrounding desert. It would also be a major setback for Saudi Arabia, which has been the target of increasingly frequent Huthi missile attacks in recent weeks. Shrapnel from Huthi drones intercepted by the Saudis on Friday wounded two civilians, including a 10-year-old, in the southwest of the kingdom, the official SPA news agency reported. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday urged the Huthis to halt their offensive in Marib, as he announced $191 million in aid at a donors' conference. "Aid alone will not end the conflict. We can only end the humanitarian crisis in Yemen by ending the war... so the United States is reinvigorating our diplomatic efforts to end the war," he said. The United Nations had sought to raise $3.85 billion from more than 100 governments and donors, but only $1.7 billion was offered. (With inputs from agencies)

Fighting in Yemen's Marib kills 90 in 24 hours: Sources 

Saudi Arabia-led millitary coalition said on Saturday that it thwarted a missile attack launched by Yemen's Houthi rebels. Loud explosions shook Riyadh on Saturday. Houthi rebels have intensified their efforts top capture Marib. The last stronghold held by Saudi-backed Yemeni government. Houthi rebels have Iran's backing. Yemen's some of the most richest oil fields are located in Marib.

The Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted a Huthi ballistic missile targeting Riyadh, according to the official SPA news agency.

Fragments of missile scattered over several Riyadh neighbourhood. At least one home was damaged but no casualties were reported, said state-run Al-Ekhbariya television.

AFP correspondents in the Saudi capital reported hearing multiple loud explosions. The night sky lit up with a bright flash following the interception of a missile, state television footage showed.

Separately, the coalition said it intercepted six Huthi drones targeting the kingdom, including the southern cities of Khamis Mushait and Jizan.

Houthi rebels have not immediately claimed responsibility for any of the attacks. The rebels in past, have struck southern areas and have targetted Riyadh with missiles and drones.

The assaults came as Saudi Arabia hosted a Formula E championship on the outskirts of Riyadh, which state media said was attended by de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Houthi rebels have intensified cross-border attacks on Saudi Arabia after the US delisted the rebels as terrorists.

The designation, imposed by the administration of former US president Donald Trump, had been widely criticised by aid organisations, who warned it would hamper their efforts to alleviate a humanitarian crisis in Yemen.

US President Joe Biden halted support to Saudi offensive operations in Yemen's war, which he called a "catastrophe" that "has to end". But he also reiterated US support for Saudi Arabia in defending its territory.

(With AFP inputs)

Saudi Arabia-led millitary coalition said on Saturday that it thwarted a missile attack launched by Yemen's Houthi rebels. Loud explosions shook Riyadh on Saturday.

Saudi Arabia-led millitary coalition said on Saturday that it thwarted a missile attack launched by Yemen's Houthi rebels. Loud explosions shook Riyadh on Saturday. Houthi rebels have intensified their efforts top capture Marib. The last stronghold held by Saudi-backed Yemeni government. Houthi rebels have Iran's backing. Yemen's some of the most richest oil fields are located in Marib. The Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted a Huthi ballistic missile targeting Riyadh, according to the official SPA news agency. Fragments of missile scattered over several Riyadh neighbourhood. At least one home was damaged but no casualties were reported, said state-run Al-Ekhbariya television. AFP correspondents in the Saudi capital reported hearing multiple loud explosions. The night sky lit up with a bright flash following the interception of a missile, state television footage showed. Separately, the coalition said it intercepted six Huthi drones targeting the kingdom, including the southern cities of Khamis Mushait and Jizan. Houthi rebels have not immediately claimed responsibility for any of the attacks. The rebels in past, have struck southern areas and have targetted Riyadh with missiles and drones. The assaults came as Saudi Arabia hosted a Formula E championship on the outskirts of Riyadh, which state media said was attended by de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Houthi rebels have intensified cross-border attacks on Saudi Arabia after the US delisted the rebels as terrorists. The designation, imposed by the administration of former US president Donald Trump, had been widely criticised by aid organisations, who warned it would hamper their efforts to alleviate a humanitarian crisis in Yemen. US President Joe Biden halted support to Saudi offensive operations in Yemen's war, which he called a "catastrophe" that "has to end". But he also reiterated US support for Saudi Arabia in defending its territory. (With AFP inputs)

Houthi missile attack on Riyadh thwarted, says Saudi Arabia

In Yemen's gas-rich region of Marib, fighters loyal to the Saudi-backed government recited Koranic verses before launching a hail of mortar and machine gun fire towards rocky mountains, in a desperate bid to push back Houthi forces.

Yemen's war shifts focus to Marib, thousands of displaced at risk

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