Saudi Arabia says Houthis tried to attack its capital

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1. 51m ago

   Saudi Arabia Reports Houthi Ballistic Missile Attack on Riyadh

   Saudi Arabia confirmed that Yemen's Houthi rebels attempted to attack the capital, Riyadh, using a ballistic missile. While the Saudi-led coalition reported that defenses intercepted the missile, other reports indicate an air attack set a fuel depot ablaze at the Riyadh airport, where eyewitnesses saw flames and black smoke. Saudi civil defence issued air raid alerts for the capital before later sending an all-clear. In response to escalating attacks, Turkey has signaled military support and readiness to meet Saudi defence needs under a defence pact.

   Why it matters

   The incident occurs amid an ongoing conflict between Saudi Arabia and Houthi militants. The Houthis have also reportedly seized control of the Bab al-Mandeb strait. Turkey's offer of military aid marks a strategic shift in regional security alignments.

   What is confirmed

   • Saudi Arabia confirmed Houthi rebels attempted to attack Riyadh with a ballistic missile.
   • The Saudi-led coalition stated that defences intercepted the missile fired at Riyadh.
   • Saudi civil defence issued air raid alerts for Riyadh before sending an all-clear.
   • Turkey has expressed readiness to meet Saudi military and defence needs under a defence pact.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Houthi militants are forging deeper ties with an African terror group.

   What to watch next

   • Whether Turkey deploys military assets or hardware to Saudi Arabia.
   • A formal response from the Houthis regarding Turkish or Pakistani intervention in Yemen.
   • Official damage assessments from the Saudi government regarding the Riyadh airport fuel depot.
   Sources used for this update (20)

   1. Reuters — Saudi civil defence sends all-clear after alerts issued for capital Riyadh
   2. bbc.com — Smoke seen near Riyadh airport after air raid alerts in Saudi capital
   3. The New York Times — Reported Explosions Put Saudi Capital on Edge Amid Conflict With Houthis
   4. WSJ — Air Attack Sets Fuel Depot Ablaze at Airport in Saudi Capital
   5. PBS — Saudi Arabia confirms Yemen's Houthi rebels tried to attack its capital with a ballistic missile
   6. The Washington Post — Houthis claim attacks on ‘sensitive sites’ in Saudi Arabian capital
   7. Al Jazeera — Saudi-led coalition says defences intercept Houthi missile fired at Riyadh
   8. Reuters — Turkey says it could help meet Saudi military needs under defence pact
   9. Al Jazeera — Turkiye backs Saudi Arabia’s security amid escalating Houthi attacks: FM
   10. africa.businessinsider.com — World’s 9th strongest military backs Saudi Arabia after Houthi drone attack near Mecca as Yemen militants forge deeper ties with an African terror group
   11. NPR — Saudi Arabia says Houthis tried to attack its capital
   12. Bloomberg.com — Turkey Signals Military Support for Saudi Arabia Against Houthis
   confidence 90%