Saudi Arabia said overnight into Saturday that it had intercepted two ballistic missiles and two drones launched by the Houthis from Yemeni territory, Reuters writes.
According to the coalition, the missiles were heading towards the city of Khamis Mushait, while the drones were heading towards the capital, Riyadh.
Saudi Civil Defence issued warnings overnight to residents of Khamis Mushait and Abha. No announcement was made for Riyadh.
A few hours before the threat, military leaders from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey held a meeting in Riyadh, where they discussed threats to the kingdom.
Last month, the three countries signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement. It stipulates that an armed attack on one of the states will be regarded as an attack on all three. The parties said the agreement is intended to strengthen collective deterrence and military co-operation.
- The Houthis have been fighting the Yemeni government, backed by Saudi Arabia, for more than ten years. Although the 2022 truce effectively froze the conflict, fighting has recently intensified again amid a broader confrontation involving Iran.
- In recent weeks, the Houthis have stepped up missile attacks and drone strikes on neighbouring Saudi Arabia. They announced a maritime blockade and attacked Saudi facilities, seeking to block the country’s oil exports.
- The Houthis accuse the kingdom of blockading areas of Yemen under their control. This weekend, they struck Riyadh for the first time in many years, signalling a significant escalation of the conflict.
- On 26 September, the head of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council Rashad al-Alimi called for general mobilisation in the war-torn country.