Saudi-led coalition says it intercepted Houthi missiles fired at Riyadh, Taif and Yanbu

The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said its air defences intercepted ballistic missiles fired by Yemen’s Houthi movement towards three Saudi cities on Saturday 24 October.

Saudi Civil Defence issued early warnings of possible aerial threats for Riyadh, Najran and Wadi al-Dawasir shortly after 1am GMT, and two loud blasts were heard over the capital minutes later, Arab News reported. Coalition spokesman Brigadier General Turki al-Maliki said on X that air defences “intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile” launched towards Riyadh. He said a drone was also intercepted and destroyed over the Eastern Province.

Around 9am GMT, al-Maliki said two more ballistic missiles fired towards Taif and Yanbu had been intercepted and destroyed. Civil Defence had issued warnings for Jeddah, Yanbu, Taif and Makkah, and lifted them shortly afterwards. No casualties or damage were reported from the interceptions. On Friday the coalition said it intercepted two missiles aimed at Riyadh and Khamis Mushait and two drones heading for southern Saudi Arabia, Asharq Al-Awsat reported.

The coalition also denied Houthi claims that Saudi Arabia had threatened to target tribal and civilian gatherings in Yemen, calling them “false claims with no basis in fact”. Saudi forces have carried out strikes on Houthi-held areas including Marib and Taiz, Al Jazeera reported. The Houthis have at times denied responsibility for specific attacks on Saudi territory, according to Arab News.

Background: Cross-border attacks have increased since a truce between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis broke down in July, amid the wider war between the US, Israel and Iran, which backs the Houthis. Washington has reportedly ordered many of its diplomatic staff to leave Saudi Arabia, Al Jazeera reported. See also: UK to fly RAF Typhoon patrols over Saudi Arabia to help counter Houthi attacks.