Politics · India Bureau
Saudi Arabia confirms Houthi ballistic missile attack on Riyadh
Saudi-led coalition forces said they intercepted a ballistic missile fired by Yemen's Houthi rebels at the kingdom's capital in the first such attack since fighting escalated. The Iran-backed group also targeted other Saudi cities and infrastructure, though all strikes were reportedly thwarted.
LSN India ·
Saudi Arabia's military coalition confirmed Saturday that Houthi forces attempted to launch a ballistic missile at Riyadh in a morning strike that was intercepted by air defences. The strike marked the first attack on the Saudi capital since tensions between the Iran-backed Houthis and the Saudi-backed Yemeni government intensified in recent weeks.
Beyond the Riyadh assault, the coalition said the rebels attempted to hit civilian infrastructure across multiple Saudi locations, including the Red Sea port city of Yanbu, and the towns of Taif, Baysh and Farasan. Coalition officials stated all attacks were successfully defended against but provided no additional details about the incidents or damage assessments.
The Houthis claimed they had struck "sensitive sites" in Riyadh and facilities belonging to Saudi oil firm Saudi Aramco in Yanbu, asserting the attacks had triggered "massive fires." Saudi Aramco, the world's largest oil producer, did not respond to requests for comment on the claims.
The escalating conflict in the region has drawn international concern given its proximity to critical global shipping lanes in the Red Sea. Market observers have flagged potential economic implications from the heightened military activity near one of the world's most important maritime corridors for international commerce.