Heavy explosions shook Yemen’s capital Sana’a on Thursday evening following reported airstrikes by Saudi-led coalition fighter jets.

Witnesses told dpa that explosions were heard across parts of Sana’a, while columns of smoke were seen rising from the vicinity of the presidential palace and Mount Al-Nahdain, which overlooks the area south of the capital.

The Houthi television channel Al-Masirah said that “Saudi aggression” had targeted Sana’a and the provinces of Saada, Taiz and Amran.

It provided no details on the nature of the targets or the extent of the damage.

The ​‌⁠​‍‍⁠⁠‌⁠⁠⁠‌​‍‍​‌​strikes came after the Saudi-led coalition announced that it had intercepted two ballistic missiles and four drones launched by the Iran-backed Houthi militia over the cities of Khamis Mushait and Jazan in southern Saudi Arabia.

Coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki said, “We continue to take and implement operational measures to deter the Houthi terrorist militia.”

The Saudi-led coalition has not yet commented on the reported airstrikes.

The Houthis have stepped up attacks on neighbouring Saudi Arabia amid a renewed escalation of the war in Yemen.

Saudi Arabia supports Yemen’s internationally recognized government and has repeatedly carried out airstrikes against the Houthis as part of the Saudi-led military coalition. 

(dpa/NAN)