Arab coalition launches a major operation against Yemen's Houthis‏

The Saudi-led military Arab coalition Thursday confirmed it has launched a major operation against Yemen's Houthis and warned it would target the rebel leadership following missile and drone attacks on the kingdom.

Residents of rebel-held capital Sanaa told AFP they heard loud explosions and saw plumes of smoke Wednesday after at least a dozen air strikes on the international airport, which is close to an air force base.

"The operation came in response to the threat of the Houthi militia after they launched ballistic missiles as well as drones from the occupied capital Sanaa, as well as Saada," coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki told reporters in Riyadh.

"The terrorist leaders of the Houthi militia... will be pursued and held accountable. Targeting civilians and civilian facilities is a red line."

Last month, the coalition said it had intercepted and destroyed drones and ballistic missiles launched into the kingdom by the Houthis, including one fired towards Riyadh.

At the venue of Maliki's press conference, Saudi officials displayed remnants of intercepted missiles and drones they said were supplied by Iran to Yemen's Houthi rebels.

Yemen has been locked in conflict since the Houthis took control of Sanaa in 2014 .