Saudi coalition intercepts Houthi drones, missiles targeting Riyadh

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's coalition reported on Saturday that it had successfully intercepted drones and ballistic missiles launched by Iran-backed Houthi rebels, even as the group continued attacks on Riyadh. The United Nations Security Council had previously condemned the escalating assaults on Saudi Arabia, citing civilian casualties, including women and children.

The Houthis have imposed a naval blockade on Saudi territory, targeting its tankers and seizing crucial coastal areas for oil exports, leading to a surge in energy prices. In addition to the drone and missile strikes, the Houthis have launched missiles towards Khamis Mushait, a city housing an air base. A coalition spokesperson stated that air defenses successfully destroyed two drones headed toward Riyadh and two ballistic missiles aimed at Khamis Mushait.

Houthi political leader Hezam Al-Assad claimed that despite the coalition's efforts, the attacks are merely a "small-scale rehearsal" for a full-scale escalation. The renewed hostilities in Yemen, following the breakdown of a year-long truce, have plunged the country into a wider Middle Eastern conflict. The conflict's ground campaign poses a severe humanitarian crisis, with 138,000 people displaced since August, including 70,000 children, according to the United Nations.

The UN Security Council strongly condemned the ongoing Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, targeting civilian and energy infrastructure, causing injuries to civilians, including women and children, as reported by AFP.