The key facts

  • The coalition reported intercepting a ballistic missile heading toward southern Saudi Arabia and a drone in the Riyadh region
  • Earlier the same day, a Houthi cruise missile was intercepted, and the day before, two ballistic missiles were downed near Riyadh
  • The Houthis have claimed attacks on Saudi oil facilities, airports and military sites

Interceptions near the capital and in the south of the country

The Saudi Arabia-led coalition in Yemen said its air defenses intercepted and destroyed a Houthi ballistic missile heading toward the southern regions of the kingdom, as well as a drone in the Riyadh region. The origin of the drone was not specified in the coalition's statement, as reported by Anadolu.

A series of attacks over several days

These statements came as part of a string of interceptions over a short period. Earlier on Friday, coalition spokesman Major General Turki al-Malki announced the interception of a Houthi cruise missile aimed at the west of the country. The day before, on Thursday, the coalition reported the destruction of two ballistic missiles launched by the Houthis toward the capital, Riyadh. According to the coalition, the Houthis have in recent days also claimed responsibility for attacks on Saudi oil facilities, airports and military sites.

Context of the conflict

The Saudi Arabia-led coalition intervened in the Yemeni conflict in March 2015 on the side of the internationally recognized government against the Houthis, who have controlled the country's capital, Sanaa, since September 2014. The escalation of shelling reported by the Saudi military affects primarily the southern and western regions of the kingdom, as well as the capital region.