Riyadh: Four Saudi officers were shot dead and four others wounded Thursday when their check post came under gunfire in southern Asir province, state media said citing the interior ministry.

Three officers were instantly killed when the outpost came under attack, the Saudi Press Agency reported, without specifying who was behind it.

Local authorities apprehended two suspects and a third opened fire as he tried to escape, killing the fourth officer.

Authorities did not name the suspects.

In March 2015, the kingdom launched a coalition of Arab states fighting to roll back Iran-backed Al Houthi rebels in Yemen and restore the country’s internationally-recognised government to power.

Last November, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman vowed to “pursue terrorists” as he presided over the first meeting of an Islamic counter-terrorism alliance involving around 40 Muslim countries.