Brief
Saudi coalition says it intercepted missiles and drones targeting Riyadh and southern Saudi Arabia
The coalition reported interceptions of a Houthi missile toward the capital, a drone over Riyadh and a cruise missile toward Khamis Mushait, plus ten missiles aimed at the south.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Saudi-led coalition forces said they intercepted a Houthi ballistic missile aimed at Riyadh, a drone over the capital region and a cruise missile targeting the southwestern city of Khamis Mushait on Sunday, Oct. 25, according to the coalition spokesperson.
What happened
Major‑General Turki al‑Maliki, the coalition’s spokesman, told Al Jazeera that early on Sunday the forces destroyed a ballistic missile launched toward Riyadh and a drone in the Riyadh region. He added that a cruise missile aimed at Khamis Mushait was also shot down, with explosions heard in the capital. Later in the day the coalition reported intercepting ten ballistic missiles fired toward southern Saudi Arabia.
What the reports add
The article notes that the interceptions occurred as the coalition resumed operations at two terminals of King Khalid International Airport after a deadly Houthi attack on Oct. 10 that killed 13 people and wounded more than 300. Riyadh airport announced that international flights would restart from Terminal 2 on Sunday, while Terminal 1 would serve domestic flights.
What was said
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree warned that the airport remained "unsafe" and a "military target" for his group. He said, "The Yemeni Armed Forces warn all international, regional and local airlines – as well as staff and travellers – against using King Khalid airport in Riyadh, as it is unsafe and serves as a military target for our forces." He added that the Saudi regime would bear the consequences of any operations at the airport.
How it came about
The latest interceptions follow a series of Houthi attacks on Saudi infrastructure, including earlier missile strikes on Riyadh in September and drone debris incidents that caused civilian casualties. Saudi civil defence also responded to falling debris in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina during the same wave of attacks.
Key facts
- Coalition forces intercepted a ballistic missile aimed at Riyadh (aljazeera.com)
- A drone over the Riyadh region and a cruise missile toward Khamis Mushait were destroyed (aljazeera.com)
- Ten ballistic missiles targeting southern Saudi Arabia were intercepted later in the day (aljazeera.com)
- Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree warned King Khalid Airport was unsafe and a military target (aljazeera.com)
- International flights resumed from Terminal 2 of King Khalid Airport on Sunday (aljazeera.com)
Sources
- [1] aljazeera.com — originally reported as “Saudi Arabia intercepts missiles and drones as fighting with Houthis rages”
