Houthi rebels fighting in Yemen have fired a Scud missile into Saudi Arabia, indicating an escalation of hostilities between the warring factions.

The Saudi Press Agency said that Saudi Arabian forces shot down the missile near the city of Khamis Mushait, which is near to the Yemen border in the southwest of the kingdom.

The missile attack will fuel rumours that the Shia rebels are being armed and funded by Iran and observers believe that the attack will lead to further bombing raids by Saudi-backed coalition forces.

Attacks have already taken place aimed at destroying Scud missile launchers in Yemen that are being operated by the Houthis.