Saudi forces intercept missile attack on Riyadh amid Houthi strikes
Saudi air defenses shot down a ballistic missile aimed at Riyadh on Saturday, while the Iran-backed Houthis claimed to have launched drones and missiles at the capital and oil facilities.
Saudi authorities reported that a ballistic missile fired toward Riyadh was intercepted and destroyed on Saturday, preventing any confirmed damage or casualties. The incident followed visible smoke from fuel tanks near King Khalid International Airport, which caused temporary flight disruptions.
The Houthi movement in Yemen said it had launched a "large number of ballistic and cruise missiles and drones" at "sensitive sites" in Riyadh and at Saudi Aramco facilities in Yanbu. The group claimed the attacks were retaliation for Saudi actions against the Yemeni capital, Sanaa.
A Saudi-led coalition spokesperson said air defenses also thwarted attempts to target civilians in the cities of Bish, Taif, Farasan and Yanbu. The United States State Department urged Americans in the region to remain vigilant and consider travel disruptions.
Local residents reported hearing explosions and feeling building vibrations after the alerts. Firefighters were seen extinguishing flames at a burnt-out fuel tank belonging to Aramco.
The Houthis, who control parts of north-western Yemen, have intensified attacks on Saudi Arabia since July, including downing a Saudi fighter jet over Yemen earlier this week. The conflict has contributed to broader regional instability and concerns over oil supply routes in the Red Sea.