Saudi Arabia Intercepts Houthi Missile as Attacks Intensify

Saudi Arabia said its air defence systems intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched towards Khamis Mushait on Saturday, as attacks attributed to Yemen’s Houthi movement against the kingdom continue to escalate.

Brigadier General Turki Al-Maliki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen, said the missile was intercepted before reaching its intended target. Saudi authorities also reported that two drones launched towards Riyadh were intercepted.

Some Saudi media reports said two ballistic missiles were intercepted while two drones were neutralised near Riyadh. The initial statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency referred to a single ballistic missile, however.

The latest attacks follow a series of incidents across Saudi Arabia this month. On September 19, the coalition said it intercepted a ballistic missile launched towards Riyadh, while also thwarting attacks targeting areas including Bisha, Taif, Farasan and Yanbu. It was the first reported Houthi missile attack towards the Saudi capital since the latest escalation began.

The September 19 attack came after Houthi attacks on Khamis Mushait, Abha and Taif earlier in the month. Saudi authorities said those attacks, involving ballistic missiles and drones, injured 13 civilians and damaged seven homes and two vehicles.

Khamis Mushait, in southwestern Saudi Arabia, hosts a major military air base and has repeatedly been targeted in attacks linked to the Yemen conflict.

Source: FSX Business News