RIYADH – Saudi Arabia faced fresh wave of aerial threats over weekend as ballistic missiles reportedly headed towards Riyadh, Taif and Yanbu triggered emergency warnings across several cities, prompting authorities to urge residents to remain indoors before declaring the danger over.
Saudi-led military coalition claimed its air defence systems successfully intercepted and destroyed three ballistic missiles and a drone in separate incidents, amid escalating security concerns over suspected attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement. According to coalition spokesperson Turki al-Maliki, two ballistic missiles launched towards Taif and Yanbu were detected and destroyed before they could reach their intended targets.
The incidents sparked security alerts across western Saudi Arabia, with Civil Defence authorities issuing warnings to residents of Jeddah, Makkah, and Yanbu. Residents were instructed to take immediate precautions, remain inside their homes and follow official safety guidance as authorities monitored the potential threat.
However, the tense situation eased within minutes when Saudi officials announced that the immediate danger had passed.
The security scare was not limited to western Saudi Arabia. al-Maliki claimed that Saudi air defence systems had intercepted and destroyed another ballistic missile launched towards the capital, Riyadh, by Ansar Allah, commonly known as the Houthi movement.
Saudi Civil Defence also activated its early warning systems in Riyadh, Najran and Wadi Al-Dawasir, alerting residents to possible aerial threats. Authorities later issued all-clear announcements for these areas, confirming that the immediate danger had ended. The simultaneous warnings across multiple regions highlighted the scale of the security concerns confronting the kingdom.
Alongside the ballistic missile interceptions, the Saudi-led coalition reported another attempted aerial attack involving an unmanned aircraft. Al-Maliki said a drone allegedly launched by the Houthis towards Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province was intercepted and neutralised on Saturday morning.
The coalition did not immediately provide further details about the drone’s intended target or whether debris from the intercepted projectiles caused any damage. No casualties were reported in the information released about the incidents.
The latest incidents come amid reports of an increase in attempted missile and drone attacks against Saudi Arabia in recent weeks, with the Houthi movement suspected of involvement. The reported attacks have placed renewed attention on the kingdom’s air defence capabilities and the security of major urban centres.
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