Saudi Arabia confirms Yemen's Houthi rebels tried to attack its capital with a ballistic missile

Saudi Arabia has confirmed that Houthi rebels from Yemen attempted to launch a ballistic missile attack on Riyadh, the country's capital. This marks the first time Riyadh has been targeted since the intensification of fighting with the Iran-backed rebels. The Saudi-led coalition, which is fighting the Houthis, stated that the missile attack was intercepted, but they also mentioned that the rebels had tried to attack civilian infrastructure in Yanbu, Taif, Baysh, and Farasan ports.

The Houthis had claimed they targeted "sensitive sites" in Riyadh and Aramco facilities in Yanbu, causing significant fires, but these claims have not been substantiated. The Houthis also claimed to have targeted Saudi Arabia's oil giant Aramco in Yanbu with cruise and ballistic missiles as well as drones. They further alleged that Saudi Arabia had targeted the rebel-held city of Sanaa with missiles, though these claims have not been verified.

On Thursday, the first civilian casualty was reported when debris from an intercepted Houthi drone killed a Yemeni resident of Saudi Arabia. On Wednesday, Saudi Arabia announced that the Houthis had attempted to attack Mecca, Islam's holiest city, with a drone, which was also intercepted.