Saudi-led Coalition Thwarts Houthi Missile and Drone Attacks on Riyadh

Saudi-led coalition forces have reported the interception of two ballistic missiles and two drones targeting Riyadh, allegedly launched by Houthi rebels as conflict intensifies across Yemen.

Turki al-Maliki, the spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition, announced on X that air defenses successfully destroyed two ballistic missiles aimed at Riyadh. He further noted that two suspected Houthi drones were intercepted and destroyed in the Riyadh and southern regions on Saturday.

According to Saudi authorities, at least 26 people have been killed in suspected Houthi drone and missile strikes within Saudi Arabia since September 23. The Houthis have frequently targeted critical infrastructure, including the East-West pipeline, oil facilities in eastern and southern Saudi Arabia, and King Khalid International airport in Riyadh.

Simultaneously, Saudi-led forces supporting Yemen's internationally recognized government have intercepted several drones headed toward Marib. Colonel Majid al-Nuzaili, a Yemeni army spokesman, stated that government forces have made strategic gains in the al-Hazm and Madghal districts of al-Jawf. Al-Nuzaili reported that 321 Houthi leaders were killed or wounded across 723 targeted operations in the Taiz, Lahij, Marib, and al-Jawf governorates, with 117 military vehicles destroyed.

The coalition's offensive included 37 air strikes, 56 drone attacks, and 541 artillery strikes. Conversely, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree claimed the coalition launched 72 air strikes in the Saada, Taiz, Lahij, and al-Jawf governorates over 24 hours, and that the Houthis targeted Saudi-backed forces in the Kharaz area of Lahij with ballistic missiles.

Houthi-affiliated media reported that artillery shelling by Saudi-backed forces in the Shuaub district of Sanaa injured two women and two children. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports that over 340,000 people have been displaced since August due to the fighting.

In response to the escalation, the US Embassy in Riyadh issued a nationwide security alert on Saturday, urging Americans to exercise "heightened vigilance" due to the increased threat of Houthi attacks. The embassy warned that attacks on civilian airports and critical infrastructure have caused casualties and travel disruptions, advising extreme caution when using Saudi airports.