Saudi Arabia says it intercepted Houthi missile aimed at Riyadh

RIYADH — Saudi forces said on Tuesday they had intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched by the Houthis towards the Saudi capital, Riyadh, after authorities issued a danger warning, according to Middle East Eye.

Turki al-Malki, a spokesperson for the Saudi-led military coalition backing Yemen's government in its war against the Houthis, said the kingdom had "intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched by the terrorist Houthi militia towards Riyadh." Middle East Eye reported his remarks.

Two blasts shook Riyadh, according to AFP journalists in the capital, as reported by Middle East Eye. The source did not give further details about the blasts, including where they occurred or whether any damage or casualties were reported.

The Saudi civil defence said in a statement on X that a warning had been issued by the National Early Warning Platform in Riyadh City "to alert for a potential danger." The alert was lifted a few minutes later. The civil defence said "the danger has passed."

The source reports do not say whether any injuries or damage resulted from the incident. The source did not report any response from the Houthis.

Background

The Saudi-led coalition has backed Yemen's government in its war against the Houthis. According to the report, the coalition described the Houthis as a terrorist militia in its statement. The report did not give further background on the current state of the conflict or on recent missile launches towards Saudi territory.