{
  "id": 16461732,
  "title": "Saudi Arabia intercepts missiles, drones as fighting with Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis continues",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/saudi-arabia-intercepts-missiles-drones-as-fighting-with-yemens-iran",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-25T10:56:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-912766"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Saudi Arabia's capital, Riyadh, and southern regions were targeted by drones and missiles on Sunday, according to a coalition led by the country fighting against Iran-backed Houthis. The ongoing conflict, which has intensified following the US-Israeli offensive against Iran, has turned Saudi Arabia into a strategic point of pressure in the broader war. Civil defense authorities in Riyadh, Abha, and Khamis Mushait issued emergency alerts before confirming that the threat had subsided. The coalition reported intercepting ten ballistic missiles fired towards southern Saudi Arabia. Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis threatened to target King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, which resumed limited operations on Sunday after a deadly attack earlier in the month. The Houthis claimed responsibility for the assault on the airport and Saudi oil facilities on Saturday, though Saudi officials did not respond to the claims. Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree designated Terminal 1 for domestic flights and Terminal 2 for international flights operated by national carriers starting Sunday, while the airport ceased operations on October 10 following an attack that killed 13 people and wounded over 300 others. Saudi Arabia has escalated its strikes against the Houthis since the group captured strategic territory along the Red Sea coast in recent weeks, nearing the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a crucial shipping route for Gulf oil producers. The renewed fighting has disrupted a UN-brokered truce that held since 2022, as Saudi Arabia intervened in Yemen's civil war in 2015 to support the internationally recognized government after the Houthis seized the capital, Sanaa.",
  "summary": "The Saudi-led coalition reported that it intercepted several missiles and drones on Sunday as fighting with Iran-aligned Houthi rebels continued. According to The National UAE and Business Recorder, the coalition intercepted ten ballistic missiles aimed at the kingdom's southern region, a ballistic missile and two drones launched towards Riyadh, and a cruise missile directed at Khamis Mushait. The National UAE reported that the coalition also destroyed a cruise missile launched towards Khamis Mushait.\n\nThe Houthis stated they attacked Saudi oil facilities and the airport on Saturday, though Saudi authorities did not directly comment on those claims, according to the Jerusalem Post and Business Recorder. Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree described the airport as a \"military target\" and warned travelers and staff against its use, according to Business Recorder. This occurred as King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh prepared to reopen two terminals on Sunday following a deadly strike earlier this month.\n\nSaudi Civil Defence issued emergency warnings for Riyadh, Abha, and Khamis Mushait on Sunday before announcing the danger had passed, according to Business Recorder. The National UAE noted that the Khamis Mushait warning was the second issued for that area on Sunday morning. Additionally, The Hindu reported that the Indian mission shared an update regarding the suspension of Air India and Air India Express flights to and from Riyadh and Dammam.",
  "key_points": [
    "Saudi Arabia intercepts 10 ballistic missiles targeting southern regions.",
    "Houthis threaten King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.",
    "UN-brokered truce with Houthis holds since 2022."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}