Saudi Arabia Thwarts Houthi Missile and Drone Barrage, Including Over Capital Riyadh

Saudi Arabia successfully intercepted a series of missiles and drones on Sunday, with some attacks targeting its capital, Riyadh. These interceptions occurred as the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen continued its efforts to counter assaults by the Iran-aligned Houthi rebels. The attacks took place as authorities were preparing to reopen two terminals at Riyadh’s main international airport, following a fatal strike earlier this month.

The Saudi-led coalition reported that its air defenses intercepted and destroyed 10 ballistic missiles aimed at the kingdom’s southern region. Additionally, a ballistic missile targeting Riyadh was intercepted, and a drone heading for the capital was destroyed. The coalition, engaged in conflict with the Houthis, also announced the interception and destruction of a cruise missile launched towards Khamis Mushait in southwestern Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Civil Defence issued alerts through its National Early Warning Platform, warning of potential danger in Abha city and the Khamis Mushait governorate. This was the second warning issued for the Khamis Mushait area on Sunday morning. Civil Defence later confirmed that the danger had passed, advising residents to adhere to safety guidelines and avoid crowds and filming.

The coalition stated that the interception of two ballistic missiles on Saturday resulted in debris falling in Makkah, Jeddah, Taif, and Rabigh. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia was set to reopen two terminals at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Sunday. This reopening comes approximately two weeks after the airport was closed following a Houthi missile attack that resulted in 13 fatalities and over 300 injuries.

Terminal 1 is designated for domestic flights, while Terminal 2 will accommodate international flights. The Houthis reiterated their threats towards airlines, airport personnel, and travelers, warning them against using the airport. The rebels' spokesman, Yahya Saree, declared the site unsafe and a continuing “military target,” vowing that the group would persist with operations against it. He asserted that Saudi Arabia would be held responsible for any repercussions from the resumption of airport operations.

Amidst the escalating situation, the United States issued a travel warning on Saturday for its citizens, advising against travel to Saudi Arabia and several other regional countries, including Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Kuwait, Oman, the UAE, Qatar, Syria, Yemen, and Israel. The advisories cited the threat of terrorism. Washington recommended that individuals reconsider travel to Saudi Arabia due to threats such as the “risk of drone and missile targeting of American interests by Iran and the Iranian-supported Houthis,” alongside armed conflict and terrorism. The US advisory for Saudi Arabia included a warning: “Do not travel to the Yemen border due to terrorism.” The US cautioned that Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia “have the potential to escalate rapidly beyond that immediate area.”

The Saudi-led coalition entered Yemen’s civil war in 2015 at the request of the internationally recognized government, following the Houthi seizure of the capital, Sanaa. A UN-brokered truce in 2022 had facilitated a fragile peace between the opposing sides until the current year. Last month, the coalition resumed its military campaign in Yemen to support the internationally recognized government and counter the Houthis’ advances, as the rebels advanced along the Red Sea coast toward the crucial Bab Al Mandab strait.