Saudi coalition says intercepted drone in Riyadh region

The Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen's Houthis said Thursday it had intercepted a drone in the Riyadh region and another in Saudi Arabia's east, amid a surge in attacks by the Iran-backed group.

The coalition, which backs Yemen's internationally recognised government against the Houthis, also said Wednesday night that it had destroyed two ballistic missiles targeting western Saudi Arabia.

Two more drones were destroyed in the country's south and the region around the holy city of Mecca, it added late Wednesday.

It said those attacks had been launched by the Houthis.

According to the Saudi civil defence, missile debris fell in the village of Sabouha, about 35 kilometres (22 miles) from Mecca.

Since fighting resumed in July, Saudi Arabia has been regularly targeted by the Houthis, who have attacked airports, energy infrastructure, military sites and Riyadh's financial district.

But the Houthis have repeatedly denied targeting the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.