Saudi-led coalition says it intercepted drone in Eastern Province
In short
The Saudi-led coalition said on October 18 that it intercepted and destroyed a drone in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province. It had reported destroying four drones in several parts of the country on October 17.
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Saudi-led coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki said on social media on October 18 that coalition forces had intercepted and destroyed a drone in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province, according to CLS and Jiemian. The announcement followed his October 17 statement that four drones had been intercepted and destroyed over the preceding hours in Riyadh, eastern and southern areas. [ 4 , 6 , 7 , 9 ]
Earlier, Maliki said the coalition destroyed three missiles and four drones on October 16. Those included a ballistic missile heading toward Yanbu and two cruise missiles intercepted over the Red Sea, according to CLS and Jiemian. The latest reports also relayed a Houthi claim that a Saudi airstrike in Yemen's southwestern Taiz province on October 17 killed at least nine people, including women and children, and wounded 16. CLS and Jiemian described continuing exchanges between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis. [ 1 , 3 , 7 , 9 ]
Why it matters
The reports describe continuing exchanges between Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Houthis. The Houthis said a Saudi airstrike in Taiz province on October 17 killed at least nine people and wounded 16.
Key facts
- Coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki said a drone was intercepted and destroyed in Eastern Province on October 18. [ 7 , 9 ]
- The coalition reported destroying four drones in Riyadh, eastern and southern areas on October 17. [ 4 , 6 , 7 , 9 ]
- The Houthis said an October 17 Saudi airstrike in Taiz killed at least nine people and wounded 16. [ 7 , 9 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Independent confirmation of the interceptions and the reported Taiz casualties. The supplied accounts attribute these claims to the coalition and the Houthis respectively.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- CLS reported on October 18 that the coalition said it destroyed a drone in Eastern Province. [ 7 ]