Pakistani national dies in Yemen rebel attack on Saudi Arabia

RIYADH - A Pakistani national was killed in mortar shelling by Houthi rebels along Yemen-Saudi border in the southern Jazan region, Saudi Arabia.

Arab media quoting Lt. Col. Yahya Al-Qahtani, spokesman of the Civil Defense Directorate in Jizan, said that the forces reached the site following information of the attack from the Yemen side.

The attack resulted in the death of a Pakistani, who has been identified as Mohammad Ashfaq and resident of Chak No 9/14 L in Kassowal, a town of Chichawatni Tehsil.



Saudi media said that three houses and a vehicle were damaged in the attack.

On Dec 19, the Saudi-led coalition reportedly shot down a ballistic missile targeting a meeting of royal leaders at the Al-Yamama Palace in Riyadh. Houthi rebels in Yemen launched the attack, reported Arabiya television.

State TV reported no damage to buildings or infrastructure. A Houthi rebel spokesman on Twitter confirmed the missile launch Tuesday.

According to Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdussalam, the rebels allegedly fired a Volcano H-2 ballistic missile towards the Al-Yamama Palace.

It is to mention here that Saudi-led forces, which back the Yemeni government, have fought the Houthis in Yemen’s more than two-year-long civil war.