Saudi Arabia: Saudi air defences intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched by Yemen’s Houthi movement toward Riyadh early Saturday, September 19, Saudi coalition spokesperson Major General Turki Al-Malki said. The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported that the missile was intercepted before reaching the capital and that Saudi air defences also thwarted attempted attacks targeting civilian areas and infrastructure in Bisha, Taif, Farasan and Yanbu.
Fire Reported Near King Khalid International Airport
The missile interception came after an air-raid alert was issued in Riyadh. Residents reported hearing explosions, while flames and a large plume of black smoke were seen near King Khalid International Airport. Reuters reported that the exact cause of the fire was initially unclear. AFP later reported that firefighters extinguished a blaze involving a fuel tank bearing the Saudi Aramco logo at a fuel depot near the airport.
Saudi authorities have not publicly confirmed that the airport-area fire was caused by a Houthi strike. The distinction is significant because the Saudi military confirmed the missile interception separately, while the cause of the fire remained under assessment.
The incident also affected aviation activity around the Saudi capital. Flight-tracking service FlightRadar24 reported major disruption at King Khalid International Airport for a period before traffic began returning toward normal, according to Reuters’ report. (Geo News)
Houthis Claim Missile and Drone Operations
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the group had carried out two operations using ballistic and cruise missiles and drones. According to his statement, one operation targeted what the Houthis described as “sensitive sites” in Riyadh, while the other targeted Aramco facilities in Yanbu, a major Saudi Red Sea port.
The Houthi claims have not been independently verified. Saudi authorities said the missile directed toward Riyadh was intercepted and that attempted attacks on Bisha, Taif, Farasan and Yanbu were thwarted. There was no immediate independent confirmation that the specific targets claimed by the Houthis were struck.
The latest escalation comes amid renewed fighting between the Houthis and Saudi-backed forces in Yemen. The threat to Riyadh adds to wider security concerns surrounding Saudi territory, energy infrastructure and the Red Sea region. The attack also follows Saudi Arabia’s recent accusation that a Houthi drone was intercepted south of Makkah, an allegation the Houthis denied.