Saudi Arabia Intercepts Houthi Missiles Targeting Riyadh and Eastern Province

The Saudi-led coalition announced it had intercepted and destroyed three ballistic missiles and two cruise missiles launched by Yemen's Houthi group towards the kingdom. The missiles were reportedly targeting the capital, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province. These incidents occur amidst an escalation of fighting in Yemen.

Meanwhile, the Houthis claimed that 33 people, including 8 women and 13 children, were killed in a coalition air attack on a village near Sanaa. This accusation highlights the severe human cost of the ongoing conflict.

Highlights

• The Saudi-led coalition reported intercepting five Houthi missiles targeting Riyadh and the Eastern Province.
• The Houthis claimed a coalition air raid killed 33 civilians in a village near Sanaa.
• Fighting has intensified in Yemen following the launch of the 'Dawn of Yemen' operation, aimed at retaking Houthi-held territories.
• The Houthis also claimed to have conducted attacks on Aramco oil facilities and Riyadh airport in Saudi Arabia.

Details

Major-General Turki al-Maliki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition, stated on X (formerly Twitter) that two ballistic missiles launched by the Houthis towards Riyadh were intercepted. Later, the coalition announced the interception of two additional cruise missiles in Riyadh and the southern region. An earlier interception of a ballistic missile targeting the Eastern Province was also confirmed.

Houthi-run Health Ministry spokesperson Anees al-Asbahi claimed that 33 people were killed and 39 wounded in coalition air attacks on the village of al-Shariyah near Sanaa. The attacks reportedly targeted homes, roads, paramedics, and civil defense teams. The Saudi-led coalition has not yet commented on these reported strikes.

The Houthis claimed that the coalition carried out 105 air strikes on Sanaa and seven other governorates within 24 hours. In response, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree stated that their forces conducted six operations targeting Aramco oil facilities, Riyadh airport, and Saudi military positions.

Why it matters

The renewed escalation of conflict in Yemen risks deepening the already severe humanitarian crisis in the region. Since the collapse of a 2022 ceasefire in July, over 1,600 people have been killed and nearly 300,000 displaced. The continued missile attacks and air operations underscore the high level of tension between the warring parties and the significant challenges to achieving lasting peace.