Saudi Arabia announced on Saturday that Yemen’s Houthi rebels launched a ballistic missile aimed at the capital, Riyadh, in the first such targeting of the city since the escalation of conflict with the Iran-backed faction opened a new front in the broader Iran war.
A official statement confirmed the missile was intercepted. While some residents reported hearing an explosion and observed a smoke plume near the airport, there were no immediate reports of injuries or structural damage.
The statement also indicated that Houthi forces attempted strikes on civilian infrastructure in the Red Sea port city of Yanbu—where a major Saudi pipeline terminates—as well as in Taif, Baysh, and Farasan, but these attacks were similarly thwarted.
Earlier, the Houthis claimed without evidence that they had hit “sensitive sites” in Riyadh and facilities belonging to state oil giant Aramco in Yanbu, alleging massive fires. Aramco did not respond to a request for comment regarding the claims.
In a related diplomatic development, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan suggested that Turkey could provide military support to Saudi Arabia under a recently signed defense pact. Speaking on TV, Fidan stated that Turkey would have no difficulty meeting military needs, citing serious attacks on Saudi sovereignty.
Fidan highlighted the alliance agreement between Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan, noting, “We stand by our word.” This comes as tensions rise across the region, with US Central Command reporting significant oil transit volumes through the Strait of Hormuz despite ongoing Iranian interference.
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