Saudi Arabia intercepts Houthi ballistic missiles fired at Riyadh and Khamis Mushait

Saudi air defences intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched by the Iran-backed Houthis towards Riyadh and Khamis Mushait, as well as two drones aimed at the south of the kingdom. The interceptions were announced by the spokesman of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen, Brigadier General Turki al-Maliki.

Al-Maliki confirmed that the missile aimed at Khamis Mushait was destroyed on Friday. In a separate statement he said that early on Friday morning another ballistic missile aimed at Riyadh was destroyed. The two drones headed south were intercepted on Thursday. The new attacks come a day after the Houthis claimed to have hit a Saudi target with a ballistic missile.

The coalition rejects Houthi accusations

In a third statement, al-Maliki categorically rejected Houthi claims that Saudi Arabia had threatened to strike gatherings of tribes and civilians in Yemen, calling them completely false and baseless. “These claims, in both content and timing, show the continuing attempts to mislead public opinion, to distract from the militia’s crises and practices, and to drag Yemen’s genuine tribes into its conflicts,” he said.

The spokesman stressed that Yemen’s tribes are an integral part of the country’s social and historical fabric and a bridge of brotherhood between the two peoples. He reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to the security and stability of Yemen and to preventing the exploitation of the tribes in conflicts. “The truth will remain clearer than disinformation campaigns,” he said.

The Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia have prompted mobilisation across the region. Egypt has declared itself ready to support Saudi Arabia, while the European Parliament has called on the EU to designate the Houthis a terrorist organisation. The attacks are also affecting daily life in the kingdom: Saudi Arabia postponed two international statistics forums it was due to host to 2027, and the oil price reached $115 a barrel after the new wave of attacks. On the same day the Saudi foreign minister arrived in Istanbul for talks on Yemen, the war in Iran and regional security.