Houthi Rebels Attempt to Attack Saudi Arabia's Capital with Ballistic Missile
Saudi Arabia confirmed on September 19 that Yemen's Houthi rebels attempted to attack its capital, Riyadh, with a ballistic missile. The Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis intercepted the missile, but some residents in Riyadh reported hearing an explosion and seeing smoke near the airport.
The coalition said the Houthis also tried to target civilian infrastructure in the Red Sea port city of Yanbu, where a key Saudi pipeline ends, as well as in Taif, Baysh, and Farasan. However, they were thwarted without further details.
The Houthi military spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, claimed that they attacked with cruise and ballistic missiles as well as drones, targeting 'sensitive sites' in Riyadh and facilities of Saudi oil giant Aramco in Yanbu, causing 'massive fires.'
Recent days have seen escalating tensions between the two sides, with a reported civilian casualty on Thursday after an intercepted Houthi drone killed a Yemeni resident of Saudi Arabia. The Houthis have also denied previous accusations from Saudi Arabia that they tried to attack Mecca, Islam's holiest city.