Saudi Arabia intercepts Houthi missiles and drone amid escalating hostilities

Saudi Arabia’s air defence systems intercepted and destroyed multiple missiles and a drone launched by Yemen’s Houthi movement, as military tensions between the two sides intensified across the kingdom.

The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said on Tuesday that it intercepted two missiles, including a ballistic missile and a cruise missile, targeting the capital Riyadh. 

Another ballistic missile launched towards southern Saudi Arabia and a drone over the oil-rich Eastern Province were also intercepted.

Saudi Civil Defence had earlier issued early-warning alerts for Riyadh, as well as the southwestern cities of Abha and Khamis Mushait, before announcing that the threats had passed. 

Meanwhile, the Houthi-run Saba news agency reported that Saudi airstrikes targeted the Al-Mufazir gas station in Sanaa’s Jadar district and a building belonging to Yemen’s state oil company. Civil defence teams were reportedly working to extinguish fires at the gas station. Saudi authorities had not immediately confirmed the reported strikes.