(Photo courtesy of Anadolu)
ISTANBUL – The Saudi-led military coalition announced Tuesday that it had intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile allegedly launched by Yemen’s Houthi group toward Riyadh, following security alerts and reports of explosions in the Saudi capital.
Coalition spokesperson Turki al-Maliki confirmed that the missile was directed at Riyadh but was successfully intercepted before reaching its intended target.
Earlier, Saudi Civil Defense issued an emergency warning through the social media platform X, alerting residents to a possible security threat.
“A warning has been issued by the National Early Warning Platform in Riyadh City to alert of a potential danger,” the agency said.
Residents subsequently reported hearing explosions in the capital as authorities responded to the suspected missile threat.
Saudi Civil Defense later announced that the immediate danger had passed and advised the public to continue observing safety protocols.
Authorities also urged residents to avoid unnecessary gatherings and refrain from filming during security incidents.
The reported interception comes amid renewed tensions between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi movement, which has carried out missile and drone attacks targeting the kingdom.
The Saudi-led coalition has also conducted military operations against Houthi positions in Yemen as part of the prolonged conflict.
Saudi Arabia has headed a military coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognized government since March 2015.
The Houthis, meanwhile, have controlled Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, and several other provinces since September 2014.
The latest incident highlights continuing security concerns in the region as hostilities between the coalition and the Houthi movement persist.
