Saudi-led coalition says destroyed missiles, drones targeting Riyadh and south

RIYADH: The Saudi-led coalition claimed to have destroyed four cruise missiles and three drones in Riyadh and the south on Tuesday, as the Yemeni Houthi rebels continued their attacks. Turki al-Maliki, the coalition spokesman, reported on X that three cruise missiles were destroyed in Riyadh and the south, followed by the destruction of two drones in the same areas.

Shortly after, the coalition announced the interception and destruction of another cruise missile aimed at Riyadh. Later, they reported the destruction of a third drone over Riyadh. The capital experienced a powerful explosion, prompting a phone alert to residents warning of a hostile aerial threat. A witness reported seeing a projectile cutting across the sky above a mall, leaving a yellowish trail of light followed by smoke before an explosion.

Locals were reportedly calm, with no one speaking and everyone looking upwards at the sky. Saudi Civil Defence later mentioned brief alerts warning of potential danger in Al-Sulayil and Wadi Dawasir, towns southwest of Riyadh province, located several hundred kilometers from the capital. The reported strikes followed the Houthis' attack on Riyadh's international airport on Saturday, resulting in 13 deaths and the suspension of operations, marking the worst attack since 2015.

The coalition announced on Tuesday that they had launched strikes in Yemen's Sanaa and the western provinces of Dhamar and Saada, targeting facilities used to supply the Houthis' war effort.