Saudi Arabia confirms Houthis fired ballistic missile at Riyadh
Updated . First published at
Yemen’s Houthi fighters attempted to attack the capital of Saudi Arabia with a ballistic missile, the kingdom’s military has confirmed.
The incident on Saturday (Sunday AEST) was the first targeting the city of Riyadh since the escalation in fighting with the Iranian-backed rebels that has opened a new phase in the Middle East War.
Smoke rises from Riyadh airport after an air strike claimed by Houthi rebels. Reuters
The Houthi rebels launched missile attacks on Saudi Arabia’s capital and main financial hub Riyadh. (Getty Images via CNN nna\sswain
The Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis issued a statement confirming the attack long after the dawn attempt, which military officials said was intercepted.
Some residents in Riyadh heard an explosion. Later, some saw a plume of smoke near the airport. There were no reports of casualties or damage, while flights were disrupted temporarily,
The Houthis earlier claimed, without providing evidence, they had targeted “sensitive sites” in Riyadh and facilities of Saudi oil giant Aramco in Yanbu, causing “massive fires.”
Aramco, the world’s biggest oil company, did not to reply to The Associated Press’ request for comment.
Houthi military spokesperson Brigadier-General Yahya Saree claimed they attacked with cruise and ballistic missiles as well as drones.
He said Saudi Arabia had attempted to target the rebel-held city of Sanaa in neighbouring Yemen, without giving details.
In a statement posted online, Houthi military spokesman Yahya al-Sarea said a “large number of ballistic and cruise missiles and drones” had been used to attack “sensitive sites” in Riyadh and energy facilities in Yanbu on the coast.
He said the attacks were “in response to the Saudi enemy’s criminal attempts” to target the Yemeni capital Sanaa.
Earlier Yahya claimed the Saudi military had carried out 300 attacks across Yemen during the past week.
The Houthis are engaged in a civil war with Yemen’s internationally recognised government, which is supported by Saudi Arabia.
Houthi rebels in Yemen have released video they say shows a downed Saudi F-15 fighter. Houthi Military Media
The Houthis largely kept to the sidelines in the first several months of the Iran war, but in July, they resumed attacks on Saudi Arabia and declared a blockade on Saudi shipping.
Past days have seen a major escalation in fighting between both sides.
Last Friday, the rebels in Yemen released a video they claim shows a downed F-15 fighter jet that had belonged to Saudi Arabia.
The Houthis claimed to have brought the US-made fighter down with a locally-crafted surface-to-air missile.
It followed the announcement last Wednesday by Saudi Arabia that the Houthis had tried to attack Mecca, Islam’s holiest city, with a drone that it said was intercepted, calling the security of the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad a “red line.” The Houthis fiercely denied the accusation.
The United States, a close Saudi ally, has signalled it has no current fight with the Houthis. Instead the kingdom has asked France, Britain, Pakistan and Egypt for air defence support.
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