RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s military intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched by Yemen’s Houthi group towards Riyadh on Tuesday, following an alert warning of a potential threat to the capital.
Turki Al-Maliki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemen’s government, said the missile was launched by the Houthi group and targeted Riyadh.
An AFP correspondent in the Saudi capital reported hearing two explosions following the incident.
Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence said in a statement on X that the National Early Warning Platform had issued an alert to warn residents of a possible threat in Riyadh.
The warning was withdrawn several minutes later after authorities confirmed that the threat had ended.
Later that evening, Al-Maliki reported that a drone had also been intercepted in the Riyadh area.
The reported increase in Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia has disrupted efforts to attract foreign investment and diversify the kingdom’s economy, with a major investment conference reportedly postponed amid the security concerns.
Previous attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi group have also forced Riyadh airport to close.
Saudi Arabia’s air force has periodically carried out retaliatory strikes against the group amid the ongoing conflict in Yemen between the Houthis and the internationally recognised government backed by Riyadh.
Tensions reportedly escalated again in July after a fragile ceasefire that began in 2022 failed to hold.
The renewed hostilities followed the Houthis’ decision to allow an Iranian aircraft to land in Sanaa, Yemen’s capital, in defiance of Saudi Arabia’s control over Yemeni airspace, triggering a new series of attacks.
The Houthis subsequently declared a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia and began targeting vessels, Saudi territory and oil facilities.
In September, the group also seized areas along the Red Sea coast that had previously been controlled by government forces during a rapid military campaign.
-AWANI
