Yemen's Houthis say they have struck an "important target" in Saudi Arabia's capital, Riyadh, using a ballistic missile and drones.

A Saudi-led coalition, which has been at war with the Iran-backed group since 2015, did not confirm an attack on Riyadh but said it intercepted and destroyed a number of ballistic missiles and explosive drones launched towards the kingdom on Thursday.

Yahya Sarea, a spokesman for the Houthi forces, said on Thursday the group used a Dul-Faqqar ballistic missile and three Samad-3 drones in the claimed assault on the unidentified site.

"The attacks are a response to the enemy's permanent escalation and its continuing blockade against our country," Sarea said in a statement posted on Twitter.

He promised more attacks if Saudi Arabia "continues its aggression" in Yemen.

A spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition said Houthi forces launched the missiles and drones at civilian targets in Saudi Arabia, without giving more details.

-Agencies