The National- 15 April 2018- The Yemeni government said that Iran was supplying the Houthi rebels with drones used to attack Saudi Arabia.

On Wednesday, Riyadh said it shot down two drones in the south of the country and intercepted ballistic missiles launched by the Houthis in Yemen.

The drones are “made in Iran”, said Yemen’s internationally-recognised government on Saturday. It added that the country’s military did not possess such aircraft and it was “impossible to manufacture them locally”.

Between Wednesday and Friday, Riyadh said its air defences have intercepted five ballistic missiles and two drones launched from rebel-held northern Yemen.

The Houthi rebels have fired dozens of missiles into Saudi Arabia since last year, all of which Saudi forces have intercepted.

A major attack targeted Riyadh international airport on November 4, and another strike on December 19 targeted Riyadh’s Yamamah palace — the official residence of the king.

After entering the war at the request of President Abdrabu Mansur Hadi on March 26, 2015, a Saudi-led coalition — which includes the UAE — has helped pro-government forces to retake much of the territory captured by the rebels. However, Sanaa remains under rebel control.

Nearly 10,000 people have been killed in Yemen’s conflict, in what the UN has called the world’s humanitarian crisis.