Saudi-Led Coalition Intercepts Houthi Drones and Missiles Targeting Riyadh and Khamis Mushait

Yemen's Saudi-led coalition announced early on Saturday that it successfully intercepted two ballistic missiles and two drones launched by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels toward the kingdom. According to the coalition's statement on X, the missiles targeted Khamis Mushait, while the drones were directed at the capital, Riyadh. Although the coalition monitored the threats without providing further operational details, the Saudi civil defence issued overnight alerts for Khamis Mushait and Abha, though none were issued for Riyadh.

The Houthi movement, which controls the most populous regions and much of northern Yemen, has intensified attacks against Saudi Arabia since declaring a maritime blockade in July. These operations have involved strikes on Saudi vessels in the Red Sea, cities, energy infrastructure, and shipping lanes. The ongoing attacks have compounded global oil supply pressures driven by the US-Israeli war on Iran, while jeopardizing Red Sea routes for Gulf exports as traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains largely restricted.

Gulf Co-operation Council Secretary General Jasem Al Budaiwi strongly condemned the strikes on Riyadh and Khamis Mushait, branding the escalation a severe violation of Saudi sovereignty and a direct threat to civilian safety and regional stability. Mr Al Budaiwi reaffirmed that GCC member states stand in complete solidarity with Saudi Arabia, supporting all measures necessary to protect its security and territorial integrity while urging the international community to take a firm stance against the recurring attacks.

The escalation coincided with high-level diplomatic and military consultations. Hours prior to the incident, military chiefs from Saudi Arabia and defence allies Pakistan and Turkey convened in Riyadh on September 25 to review security threats. The three nations recently signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, which stipulates that an armed attack on any member will be treated as an assault on all, aiming to bolster collective deterrence and military cooperation.

Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman stated early on Saturday that he met with Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, in Riyadh to discuss joint efforts to counter attacks against the kingdom under the terms of the pact. Both officials welcomed the outcomes of the military chiefs' meeting and addressed recent threats directed at Makkah, alongside Saudi civilian and economic infrastructure.

Addressing the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif declared that any assault on the holy cities of Makkah or Madinah constitutes a "red line." His remarks followed an incident last week where Saudi air defence systems destroyed a Houthi drone south of Makkah before it entered restricted airspace. Mr Sharif emphasized that any threat to the Haramain Sharifain, Islam's two holiest mosques, is a red line that must not be crossed.

Meanwhile, Rashad Al Alimi, head of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council, declared a general mobilisation on Friday against the Houthi rebels, calling on Yemenis to enlist in the armed forces and support the national cause through all possible means. With reporting from Reuters