In this Nov 20, 2018 photo, Yemeni fighters, loyal to the Shi'ite Houthi movement, secure a rally marking the birth anniversary of Islam's Prophet Mohammad in the capital Sanaa. (MOHAMMED HUWAIS / AFP)

SANAA - Yemen's Houthi group claimed responsibility for a fresh explosive-laden drone attack at the King Khalid Airbase in southwestern Saudi Arabia on Thursday early morning, Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported.

The Houthis have recently stepped up cross-border missile and drone attacks against Saudi border cities and oil facilities

"The attack on the airbase in the Saudi city of Khamis Mushait was precise," the television said, citing a statement by Houthi military spokesman Yehya Sarea as saying.

However, the Saudi-owned Alarabiya TV reported that "the Saudi-led coalition had intercepted and destroyed a drone launched by the Houthi militia towards Khamis Mushait."

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The Houthis have recently stepped up cross-border missile and drone attacks against Saudi border cities and oil facilities. Most of the attacks were reportedly foiled by the coalition.

Yemen has been mired in a civil war since late 2014 when the Iran-backed Houthis seized control of several northern Yemeni provinces and forced the internationally recognized government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi out of the capital Sanaa.

The Saudi-led Arab coalition intervened in the Yemeni conflict in March 2015 to support Hadi's government.