Saudi Arabia intercepts 3 missiles over Riyadh, Jizan

Saudi Arabia on Wednesday intercepted three missiles from Yemen, including two which were shot down near the capital Riyadh.

"Our air-defence systems intercepted two ballistic missiles over Riyadh and a third that was fired toward Jizan," reported Anadolu News Agency.

The Al-Masira television channel, which is run by Yemen's Shia Houthi rebel group appeared to confirm that the group had fired one missile in an "air-defence facility" in Jizan. It also fired missiles in Riyadh's Dry Port and other "economic targets" in the city.

On Sunday, Saudi air defences intercepted two missiles above the southwestern Najran region fired by Houthi rebels from Yemen.

As per official Saudi figures, 31 missiles have been intercepted since March this year. So far, a total of 135 missiles have been shot down since Saudi Arabia launched its military campaign in Yemen in 2015.

Continued missile attacks from Houthi rebels in Yemen have forced Saudi Arabia to cut off air, sea and land links from its neighbour. Saudi defence forces have also halted Yemen's financial aids and food and fuel imports as well.

Former Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh was killed in Sanaa after days of intense fighting between Houthi rebels and his loyalist forces on December 4 last year.

Both Saleh forces and the Houthi rebels backed by Iran are battling to capture the Yemeni capital city.

The conflict in Yemen, which began in 2014, has claimed more than 100,000 lives so far.

The fighting further intensified in 2015, when clashes broke out between incumbent Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi's government forces and Saleh loyalist forces.

The Saudi-led coalition forces, which is backed by the United States, has interfered in the conflict upon Hadi's request since then, and are carrying out regular airstrikes against the Houthi rebels.