Abu Dhabi (CNN) The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen has dismissed claims by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels that they carried out a large-scale ambush that led to hundreds of deaths and the capture of thousands of prisoners of war.

In a Monday news conference, coalition spokesman Col. Turki al-Malki called the Houthi announcement "theatrical," describing it as part of "attempts to mislead" international and regional media.

On Sunday, Houthi rebels released video purporting to show the apparent aftermath of an August attack that they said killed hundreds of Saudi-backed troops and led to the capture of 2,000 others.

A screengrab from footage via Houthi-run Al Masirah TV purportedly shows soldiers surrendering to Houthi rebels near the Saudi Arabia-Yemen border.

Houthi spokesman Brigadier Gen. Yahya Saree said Houthi forces had also wrested control of 350 square kilometers (135 square miles) of land from coalition forces in what he hailed as the "biggest trap."

CNN has not been able to verify Saree's claims or footage purporting to show droves of people apparently surrendering.

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