Saudi-led coalition says defence intercepted Houthi missile fired at Riyadh
Saudi Arabia intercepted a Houthi ballistic missile fired at Riyadh, according to the Saudi-led coalition. The attack triggered rare air-raid alerts in the capital, followed by an all-clear from civil defence. Despite the interception claim, reports of explosions and black smoke emerged near the Riyadh airport, where an air attack reportedly set a fuel depot ablaze. The escalation has contributed to rising oil prices. Houthi rebels claim they targeted sensitive sites in the capital as part of their ongoing conflict with Saudi Arabia.
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- ✓ Saudi Arabia confirmed Houthi rebels attempted to attack Riyadh with a ballistic missile.
- ✓ The Saudi-led coalition stated that its defences intercepted the missile.
- ✓ Saudi civil defence issued and then cleared air-raid alerts for Riyadh.
- ✓ Oil prices rose following strikes in Saudi Arabia and the Strait of Hormuz.
What changed
Saudi Arabia confirmed a Houthi ballistic missile attempt on Riyadh and reported subsequent fires at an airport fuel depot.
Live updates
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Saudi Arabia Intercepts Houthi Ballistic Missile Targeted at Riyadh
Saudi Arabia intercepted a Houthi ballistic missile fired at Riyadh, according to the Saudi-led coalition. The attack triggered rare air-raid alerts in the capital, followed by an all-clear from civil defence. Despite the interception claim, reports of explosions and black smoke emerged near the Riyadh airport, where an air attack reportedly set a fuel depot ablaze. The escalation has contributed to rising oil prices. Houthi rebels claim they targeted sensitive sites in the capital as part of their ongoing conflict with Saudi Arabia.
Why it matters
The conflict involves Iranian-backed Houthi rebels from Yemen who have previously targeted Saudi oil facilities and holy sites in Makkah. Recent tensions are heightened by Houthi efforts to control the Bab al-Mandeb strait. This volatility directly impacts global energy markets and U.S.-Saudi diplomatic relations.
What is confirmed
- Saudi Arabia confirmed Houthi rebels attempted to attack Riyadh with a ballistic missile.
- The Saudi-led coalition stated that its defences intercepted the missile.
- Saudi civil defence issued and then cleared air-raid alerts for Riyadh.
- Oil prices rose following strikes in Saudi Arabia and the Strait of Hormuz.
Still unconfirmed
- An air attack set a fuel depot ablaze at the Riyadh airport.
- Houthis successfully attacked sensitive sites in the Saudi capital.
- Houthi attacks wounded 73 people and ignited fires at oil facilities.
What to watch next
- Response from the Iranian government regarding the ballistic missile launch.
confidence 85%Sources used for this update (18)
- ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos — Iran live updates: Oil prices rise after strikes in Saudi Arabia, Strait of Hormuz
- Bloomberg.com — Saudi Arabia Issues Rare Air-Raid Alerts for Riyadh After Drone Attacks
- Reuters — Saudi civil defence sends all-clear after alerts issued for capital Riyadh
- bbc.com — Smoke seen near Riyadh airport after air raid alerts in Saudi capital
- The New York Times — Reported Explosions Put Saudi Capital on Edge Amid Conflict With Houthis
- WSJ — Air Attack Sets Fuel Depot Ablaze at Airport in Saudi Capital
- CNBC — Flames reported near Saudi capital airport as Pakistan presses Iran over energy supplies
- PBS — Saudi Arabia confirms Yemen's Houthi rebels tried to attack its capital with a ballistic missile
- The Washington Post — Houthis claim attacks on ‘sensitive sites’ in Saudi Arabian capital
- Al Jazeera — Saudi-led coalition says defences intercept Houthi missile fired at Riyadh
- NPR — Saudi Arabia says Houthis tried to attack its capital
- The Economist — World in Brief: A missile strike on Riyadh; America’s talks with China
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