Houthi fighters from Yemen, supported by Iran, have claimed responsibility for drone and ballistic missile attacks targeting energy centers along the Red Sea coast and the Saudi Arabian capital, Riyadh. Saudi authorities reported on Saturday that they successfully intercepted a ballistic missile aimed at Riyadh. However, officials have not confirmed whether there were additional attacks or casualties.
Earlier, plumes of black smoke were seen rising from fuel storage tanks near the international airport in Riyadh, leading to temporary disruptions of flights. Following an escalation of attacks on Saudi Arabia by the Iran-backed Houthis since July, air raid sirens were sounded in the Saudi capital for the first time on Saturday to warn of an aerial threat.
The U.S. Department of State has urged Americans in the Middle East to remain vigilant and reconsider travel plans in the region. A spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition stated that the air defense system thwarted attempts by hostile forces to target civilians in cities including Yanbu.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Al-Sari disclosed that a “large number of ballistic and cruise missiles as well as drones” were deployed to attack “sensitive sites” in Riyadh and the government-owned oil and gas company Aramco’s Yanbu coastal facilities. He also accused Saudi Arabia of conducting 300 airstrikes across Yemen in the past week.
