Saudis intercept missiles fired from Yemen as Kingdom continues bombings

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Aug. 10 (UPI) -- Saudi Arabia said it intercepted two ballistic missiles fired from Yemen as the Kingdom-led coalition continued its second day of airstrikes.

Peace talks brokered by the United Nations recently broke down and the Saudi Arabian coalition resumed airstrikes on Tuesday against Houthi rebels believed to be supported by the Iranian government. Airstrikes were carried out against the rebels in northern Yemen.

"Saudi Air Defense Forces encountered ballistic missiles fired from Yemeni territory," the coalition said, the state-run Saudi Press Agency reports. The missiles caused no damage.

The airstrikes follow the first bombings of rebel-held positions in Sanaa, Yemen's capital, in three months.

The U.N. has expressed concern over the resumption of airstrikes.

"The secretary-general is deeply concerned about reports of increased fighting between various parties in Hajjah, Saada and Sanaa provinces including over the past few days," Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, said in a statement. "The reported escalation in fighting exacerbates the already dire humanitarian and human rights situation and the suffering of the Yemeni people."

More than 6,400 people -- mostly civilians -- have died in Yemen since the Saudi-led coalition began conducting airstrikes in March 2015. At least 2.8 million people have fled their homes.