Saudi-led coalition forces stated that their air defences successfully intercepted and destroyed a Houthi ballistic missile launched at the capital, Riyadh, during the early hours of Saturday. The incident triggered the first civil defence alert in the city since hostilities between Saudi Arabia and the Iran-backed Yemeni group intensified in July.
Major-General Turki al-Maliki, a spokesman for the coalition, confirmed on X that the group also attempted to strike civilian targets and infrastructure in the cities of Bisha, Taif, Farasan, and Yanbu. He stated that all such attacks were thwarted by the kingdom’s air defence systems.
Witnesses in Riyadh reported hearing at least one explosion, with some residents near the airport observing a large plume of black smoke later in the morning. Saudi authorities confirmed there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.
Earlier on Saturday, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree claimed the group had attacked “sensitive” sites in Riyadh as well as an Aramco oil facility in Yanbu. He asserted that the assault involved a combination of cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and drones.
The escalation represents the most significant surge in fighting since a relative calm followed an April 2022 truce. Renewed clashes have been reported across several southern Yemeni provinces, including Marib, Taiz, Lahj, al-Jawf, and al-Bayda.
On the ground, forces loyal to the internationally recognised Saudi-backed government reported killing 12 Houthi fighters after repelling an infiltration attempt in the al-Fuliahan sector of southern Marib on Saturday. Additionally, the army stated that 13 Yemeni soldiers were killed during two days of combat in Taiz and Lahj.
Yasmeen al-Eryani, executive director for knowledge production at the Sana’a Center, told Al Jazeera that the Houthis appear to be controlling the pace and intensity of the escalation. However, she noted that military options remain limited due to the difficult mountainous terrain that characterizes much of the fighting.
“Without controlling the peaks that are parallel to the coast, you will not be able to control the coast,” al-Eryani said, suggesting that containing the group may be a more realistic objective than achieving a decisive military victory at this stage.
Black smoke near the airport sounds scary, but zero casualties is a small mercy in such volatile times.
The article mentions limited military options due to terrain. Does this mean a stalemate is likely regardless of missile interceptions?
Does anyone else find it concerning that they’re targeting civilian areas again? This escalation feels different from previous rounds.
Just glad the air defenses are working. Hopefully no innocent people get hurt in the crossfire this time.
Terrifying to hear that Riyadh is back in the crosshairs. I thought things were calming down since July.