Saudi Arabia Intercepts Houthi Missiles Over Riyadh, Escalating Tensions Amid Pipeline Attacks

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - The Saudi Arabia-led coalition announced on Tuesday that it successfully intercepted two missiles targeting the kingdom's capital, Riyadh, and a third missile aimed at its southern region. Major-General Turki al-Maliki, spokesperson for the coalition, attributed the attacks to the Iran-backed Houthis. He stated on the social media platform X that a ballistic missile and a cruise missile were destroyed over Riyadh, while another ballistic missile was downed in the country's south. Residents in Riyadh reported hearing multiple explosions and received text alerts warning of an "aerial threat," though the civil defence agency later confirmed the danger had passed. The Houthis have not yet issued a statement regarding the incident.

These strikes represent the latest in a series of assaults on Saudi Arabia as the conflict in Yemen continues. The coalition has been supporting the internationally recognized Yemeni government's offensive against the Houthis with air strikes. In response, the Houthis have frequently targeted Saudi oil infrastructure, including refineries and storage facilities, using drones and missiles. This comes just a day after an attack on the East-West oil pipeline in the Medina region, which caused a "limited fire" that was quickly extinguished. A Saudi Energy Ministry official assured that pipeline operations remained unaffected and reported no injuries or fatalities.

The East-West pipeline is crucial for Saudi oil exports, particularly given Iran's restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz. The pipeline has been a repeated target amid the ongoing global energy crisis. On Sunday, the Houthis also claimed responsibility for an attack on Riyadh's business district, with Saudi officials reporting minor damage to the Aramco Tower from falling debris. Images showed officials inspecting the building, with visible damage on several floors.