World Bulletin / News Desk 

Yemen's Shiite Houthi group, which took control of capital Sanaa last September, plans to conduct its first "military maneuvers" later on Thursday near the border with Saudi Arabia.

"The maneuvers are meant to send a clear message to whoever seeks to meddle with the country's security, be they domestic or foreign," a leading Houthi member, requesting anonymity told.

The exercise, which the Houthi leader said would involve a range of weaponry, will be held later on Thursday in the northern Ketaf district, located adjacent to the border with Saudi Arabia.

The Houthis have long accused Riyadh of funding their opponents inside Yemen.

Riyadh, for its part, regards last year's Houthi takeover of Sanaa as a major strategic gain for Tehran – its regional nemesis – in its own backyard.