Saudi soldier killed by missile attack from Yemen hours before ceasefire

Doha: A Saudi soldier was killed on Saturday by a missile fired by Yemeni rebels across the border into the kingdom`s southern Asir province, the interior ministry said.

The Iran-allied Houthis, who are battling the internationally recognised government of Yemen`s President Abd Rabbu Mansour al-Hadi, often fire mortars into southern Saudi regions and test Saudi defences with guerrilla-style incursions.

The attack came hours before the Saudi-led coalition that is supporting Hadi in the war, announced a ceasefire in a bid to end a conflict that has displaced millions of people and caused a humanitarian disaster.

The 48-hour truce is due to start at noon (0900 GMT) on Saturday.

The Houthis were not immediately available to comment on the attack. A news agency controlled by the group said Saudi jets early on Saturday bombed an area of farmland in Yemen`s southern Shabwa province.

Saudi Arabia and its Gulf Arab allies intervened in Yemen`s war in March 2015 to support Hadi`s government. 

Several dozen Saudi soldiers have been killed in clashes along the long, rugged border with Yemen.