Saudi forces intercept drones and missiles targeting Riyadh and southern cities

Saudi civil defense authorities issued emergency alerts for Riyadh, Abha and Khamis Mushait on Sunday after reports that drones and missiles were launched toward the capital and southern areas. The Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted two drones and a ballistic missile aimed at Riyadh, a cruise missile targeting Khamis Mushait, and later confirmed the interception of ten ballistic missiles directed at southern Saudi Arabia.

The Houthi movement, which controls parts of Yemen, said it had attacked King Khalid International Airport and Saudi oil facilities on Saturday. A Houthi military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, described the airport as a "military target" and warned airlines, staff and travelers against using it.

King Khalid International Airport resumed limited operations on Sunday, designating Terminal 1 for domestic flights and Terminal 2 for international flights operated by national carriers. The airport had been closed since October 10 following an earlier attack that resulted in multiple casualties.

Saudi Arabia has increased its air strikes against Houthi positions after the group seized territory along the Red Sea coast, bringing forces closer to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a key maritime chokepoint. The renewed hostilities have ended a United Nations-brokered truce that had largely held since 2022. The Saudi-led coalition has been involved in Yemen's conflict since 2015, supporting the internationally recognized government.