RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) – Yemen’s Shiite rebels fired rockets and mortars into Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, killing at least two civilians and reportedly capturing five soldiers in an attack showing the insurgents’ ability to launch assaults despite weeks of airstrikes targeting them.
Saudi Arabia’s state airline cancelled flights into the border area of Najran as schools closed early amid the attack. Meanwhile, hundreds of families fled Aden after Houthis advanced into their neighborhoods, firing indiscriminately as they took over surrounding, towering mountains.
In Najran, the shelling killed two Saudi civilians and damaged buildings, Yemeni tribal leaders said. The state-run airline, Saudia, said flights to and from the area would be suspended until further notice, without elaborating.
The tribal leaders, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals, also said the Houthis captured five Saudi soldiers in unclear circumstances. Saudi media and defense officials had no immediate comment on the report.
Saudi state television reported schools closed early and quoted Saudi Brig. Gen. Ahmed Asiri as saying that the assault reflects the state of “Houthi chaos.” He added that Saudi Apache attack helicopters returned fire. Aired footage showed burned cars burnt, smoldering houses and debris covering nearby roads.