Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen shelled the town of Najran on Saudi Arabia’s southern border, The Washington Post reported Tuesday.

Although numerous border skirmishes have been reported since a Saudi-led coalition launched a campaign of airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen in late March, Tuesday’s attack marked the first time that the rebels have struck a civilian area in Saudi Arabia.

According to Yemeni tribal leaders, two Saudi civilians were killed and buildings were damaged in the Houthi shelling, the Associated Press reported. The news agency quoted the tribal leaders as saying the Houthis captured five Saudi soldiers in unclear circumstances.

Saudi authorities did not immediately disclose any details of the reported attack. But the state-run airline, Saudia, said it was suspending flights to and from Najran until further notice, and state television showed footage of burned cars, smoldering houses and debris-covered roads, AP said.

The Post also reports that Saudi-led air raids have not stopped the Houthi advances into the southern port city of Aden, where forces loyal to exiled Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi are based. Last week, three Saudi soldiers and dozens of rebels were killed in fighting along the Yemeni-Saudi border.

[Photo: Levantine Group / YouTube ]