Saudi Arabia to build military base near Yemen border

Saudi Arabia has decided to build a maritime military base near its border with Yemen due to increasing insecurity in the neighbouring country, a media report said on Monday.

The military zone would be located in the southern area of Saudi Arabia, close to the border with Yemen, Saudi Minister of Defence Prince Mohammed bin Salman was quoted as saying by the Elaf online newspaper, according to Xinhua.

The minister ordered to build the base immediately and additional housing units be constructed to accommodate more forces.

The announcement was made a few days after Yemen's Houthi fighters, who have taken control of Yemen's capital Sanaa, held military exercises near the Saudi border.

Even before disturbances in Yemen began earlier this year, Saudi Arabia had been tightening security near the borders to prevent trafficking and Al Qaeda terrorist activities.

Last Friday, terrorist attacks in the capital Sanaa and the Houthi stronghold of Saada province killed at least 137 people. The Islamic State (IS) terrorist group claimed responsibility for the attacks.