The key facts

  • The coalition's air defenses intercepted two Houthi ballistic missiles aimed at Riyadh
  • Later, the interception of two more cruise missiles in the Riyadh area and in the south was reported
  • Earlier on Sunday, a ballistic missile was intercepted over the Eastern Province

Interceptions over the capital and provinces

The Saudi Arabia-led coalition fighting Yemen's Houthis announced on Sunday, November 8, that its air defenses intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched by the group toward the capital, Riyadh. The announcement was made by the coalition's official spokesman, Major General Turki al-Maliki on his account on the X platform.

From two missiles to four

Less than an hour later, al-Maliki posted a new statement: according to him, a total of four missiles were intercepted — two ballistic and two cruise missiles. According to the statement, the two cruise missiles were shot down 'in the Riyadh area and the southern regions,' but the coalition spokesman did not specify the origin of the cruise missiles. Earlier that same Sunday, the coalition had reported intercepting another Houthi ballistic missile heading toward the kingdom's Eastern Province.

Context of the escalation

The statements come amid an ongoing military escalation between the coalition and the Houthis, who have repeatedly launched missiles and drones toward Saudi territory. The Anadolu outlet, which is the source cited for this information, notes that the final count of missiles intercepted during the day grew as information was clarified: first it was two ballistic missiles, then four missiles of two types. The publications contain no details about damage or casualties.