The Saudi-led coalition defending against Yemen’s Houthis reported intercepting multiple missile attacks on Sunday. Major-General Turki al-Maliki, the coalition’s spokesperson, stated that three ballistic missiles were destroyed, with two targeting Riyadh and another aimed at the Eastern province. Additionally, the coalition intercepted two cruise missiles in Riyadh and the southern region.
The escalation follows intensified fighting in Yemen, where government forces launched the Dawn of Yemen operation last month to retake Houthi-controlled areas, including the capital Sanaa. The Houthi-run Health Ministry reported that 33 people, including eight women and 13 children, were killed in coalition air strikes on the village of al-Shariyah near Sanaa. At least 39 others were injured in the attacks, which reportedly hit homes, roads, and emergency responders.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed the coalition conducted 105 air strikes and missile attacks over 24 hours, targeting Sanaa and seven other governorates. The total number of strikes since the escalation began has reached 4,369, according to Saree. The Houthis also alleged six operations targeting Aramco oil facilities, Riyadh airport, and Saudi military positions.
The United Nations reported over 1,600 deaths and nearly 300,000 displacements since a 2022 ceasefire collapsed in July. In September, the Houthis seized much of Yemen’s Red Sea coast, while government forces launched a campaign in October to reclaim Houthi-held territory.