Saudi Arabia intercepts 2 missiles targeting Riyadh, destroys 3 drones
Missiles intercepted near Riyadh
According to the Saudi-led Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen, the two ballistic missiles were launched by Yemen’s Houthi group, which is backed by Iran. Saudi air defence systems intercepted both missiles before they could reach the capital.
Authorities issued an emergency alert to Riyadh residents at 4:08 am on Sunday, warning them about a possible aerial attack. Several loud explosions were heard across the city before officials later announced that the danger had passed.
Coalition spokesperson Major General Turki Al-Maliki confirmed the interceptions in a statement shared on X. He said Saudi air defence forces had successfully destroyed both missiles aimed at Riyadh.
The coalition also confirmed that three drones heading towards Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province had been intercepted and destroyed. The successful interceptions prevented all five aerial threats from reaching their intended targets.
Eastern Province remains a major target
The latest attacks come amid repeated Houthi strikes against Saudi airports, military facilities and important energy sites. These attacks have increased concerns about the safety of the Kingdom’s key infrastructure.
The Eastern Province is particularly important because it holds most of Saudi Arabia’s oil and gas reserves. It is also home to the headquarters of Saudi Aramco, the state-owned oil company.
In a separate recent attack, a building used for administrative work by Aramco was damaged in Riyadh’s financial district. The incident raised further questions about the security of important government and energy-related facilities.
Airports and energy facilities face security threats
The Houthis have also repeatedly targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and other airports across Saudi Arabia. These attacks have added to concerns about the safety of passengers and airport operations.
Official figures cited in reports say attacks on Saudi Arabia since September have killed 26 people. Of these, 23 people reportedly died in attacks targeting airports.
Saudi air defence systems also intercepted missiles and drones heading towards Riyadh, Makkah and other areas earlier this week. On Saturday, the coalition announced that it had destroyed two more drones launched towards Riyadh and the southern region.
Coalition increases military response
Following the continued cross-border attacks, the Saudi-led coalition has increased its military operations against Houthi targets in Yemen. The operations are being carried out in support of Yemen’s internationally recognised government.
The growing number of attacks has placed Saudi Arabia’s security forces on high alert. The Kingdom is facing continued threats to its major cities, airports and energy infrastructure.
The latest missile and drone interceptions show that security threats against Saudi Arabia are continuing. The protection of airports, cities and oil facilities remains a major concern for the Kingdom.
Further attacks could increase tensions between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis. The situation also highlights the importance of strong air defence systems to protect people and critical infrastructure.
Also read: Houthis target Makkah again, Saudi forces intercept drone
