Saudi coalition intercepts two Houthi missiles aimed at Riyadh

Saudi Arabia's military coalition said it intercepted two missiles launched by Yemen's Houthi rebels in an attack directed at Riyadh on Tuesday. The Saudi Civil Defence issued an alert to residents in the Riyadh region shortly before loud explosions were heard across parts of the capital.

Following the interception, authorities confirmed that the immediate danger had passed. The incident marks the latest in a series of cross-border attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthis against Saudi targets, despite the kingdom's advanced air defence systems.

The Houthi movement has periodically launched drone and missile attacks against Saudi Arabia in recent years, particularly targeting major cities and infrastructure. The group has stated that such attacks are in response to the Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen's civil war, which began in 2015.

Saudi Arabia maintains one of the world's most sophisticated air defence networks, including Patriot missile systems and THAAD batteries, which have repeatedly demonstrated their capability to intercept incoming threats. The kingdom has not reported significant casualties or damage from Tuesday's attack.

The escalation in attacks underscores the continued volatility in the region and the persistent threat posed by Houthi forces despite years of coalition military operations in Yemen.