Houthis say they targeted Saudi capital with ballistic missiles

Missile and Drone Attack Claims Raise Tensions Around Riyadh

Ninoda.com – Saudi Arabia’s capital was placed on alert after Yemen’s Houthi movement said it had launched ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones at Riyadh and energy infrastructure along the Red Sea coast.

Saudi authorities said air defences intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile aimed at Riyadh. They did not confirm additional strikes or provide information on casualties. The incident marked the first time air-raid alerts had been issued in the capital since Houthi attacks on Saudi territory intensified in July.

Thick black smoke was seen near King Khalid International Airport, rising from fuel tanks close to the capital. Flights at the airport were temporarily affected, with delays and cancellations disrupting services on Saturday. Firefighters were seen tackling a blaze involving a damaged Aramco fuel tank.

Air Defences Activated Across Several Regions

Residents received mobile-phone warnings overnight about a possible threat in Riyadh and other areas. An all-clear message was later issued on Saturday morning.

People in the city described hearing explosions shortly after the alerts were sent. One 27-year-old resident of northern Riyadh said the blast shook the windows of their home.

“I heard the alarm, then my windows shook. It was definitely scary. I was not expecting this.”

A spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition said defensive systems also dealt with attempts to strike civilian areas in Bish, Taif, Farasan and Yanbu. These cities span a broad area of the kingdom, underlining the geographic reach Saudi authorities attribute to the Houthi operation.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya al-Sarea said the group used what he described as a large number of missiles and drones against sensitive locations in Riyadh and facilities belonging to Saudi Aramco in Yanbu. Yanbu is an important coastal energy hub on the Red Sea.

Al-Sarea said the action was a response to Saudi military operations against Sanaa, Yemen’s capital, which remains under Houthi control. He had earlier accused Saudi Arabia of carrying out 300 air strikes across Yemen during the previous week.

Conflict in Yemen Continues to Spill Across Borders

The Houthis are fighting Yemen’s internationally recognised government in a prolonged civil war. Saudi Arabia backs the government, while the Houthis receive support from Iran. The conflict has repeatedly crossed the border in recent months through missile and drone launches directed at Saudi targets.

The group also said this week that it had brought down a Saudi fighter jet over Yemen. Video examined independently showed wreckage from a Saudi aircraft, adding to concerns that the conflict’s military escalation is extending beyond ground fighting.

Fighting inside Yemen remained deadly on Saturday. Military sources from both sides said 48 people were killed in clashes: the Houthis said they lost 31 fighters, while government sources said 17 soldiers on their side had died.

The humanitarian cost continues to grow. The International Organization for Migration said on Friday that recent combat had forced more than 104,796 people from their homes. Displacement in Yemen places further pressure on families already facing insecurity, damaged infrastructure and limited access to essential services.

Red Sea Routes Take on Greater Importance

The latest attacks come as control of strategic coastal territory becomes increasingly significant. The Houthis recently said they had taken Mokha, a port city, and Perim Island, which sits near a key shipping passage connecting the Red Sea with routes used for trade between the Gulf, Asia and Europe.

The group said its naval blockade was retaliation for Saudi restrictions on ports and airports in Houthi-held north-western Yemen. For Saudi Arabia, Red Sea shipping has become especially important after the war involving the United States, Israel and Iran effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz, a major passage for Gulf oil exports.

Any threat to Red Sea infrastructure or maritime routes could have consequences beyond the immediate conflict zone. Saudi energy exports depend on secure transport corridors, while uncertainty around oil supplies can affect markets and fuel costs internationally.

JP Morgan said on Friday that it was finding it difficult to determine how the war could influence oil prices. The bank told investors that the final outcome was too uncertain to model confidently.

“We simply don’t know how to model the endgame.”

The attack claims, airport disruption and damage near fuel storage underline the vulnerability of civilian and energy sites when regional conflict broadens. Saudi authorities have emphasised the role of air defences in preventing further harm, while the Houthis have signalled that they see cross-border strikes as part of their response to Saudi operations in Yemen.

With fighting continuing on the ground, civilians displaced in growing numbers and vital shipping routes under pressure, the confrontation is carrying implications far beyond Riyadh and Yemen’s front lines.