Saudi coalition says intercepted two ballistic missiles fired towards Riyadh

The Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen’s Houthis said on Sunday it had intercepted two ballistic missiles launched by the Iran-backed group towards the capital.

“Air defences intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched by the Houthi terrorist militia toward Riyadh,” coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki posted on X.

He earlier said in separate posts that Saudi air defences had destroyed two drones in the country’s Eastern region.

The coalition, which backs neighbouring Yemen’s internationally recognised government in its war with the Houthis, has battled a surge in attacks since hostilities reignited in July.

In recent weeks the Houthis have launched strikes on a range of Saudi targets including energy and transport infrastructure, military sites and Riyadh’s financial district.

The Saudi capital, including its international airport, has frequently come under attack.

Last Sunday, a Houthi strike damaged a skyscraper owned by Saudi state oil giant Aramco in Riyadh’s financial district.

Twenty-six people have been killed in attacks on the kingdom since Sept, 23 of them in strikes on airports, according to authorities.

In Yemen, the Houthis frequently report Saudi airstrikes in areas of the country under their control.

Since a four-year truce collapsed this summer, more than 1,600 people have been killed and over 300,000 forced to flee their homes, according to the United Nations.